Pegula pounds into semis over Krajcikova

Jessica Pegula cut down former Wimbledon winner Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 6-3 on Tuesday to boss her way into a second straight semi-final at the US Open.

The American 4th seed who finished runner-up here a year ago to Aryna Sabalenka has lost just 24 games since the start of the last major of the season.

Pegula made sure her Czech opponent had no chance to repeat her heroics of the previous round, when Krejcikova saved eight match points to beat Taylor Townsend.

Pegula’s next challenge will be against top seed Aryna Sabalenka after one-time Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova withdrew from her quarter final.

The American did her best to keep the points short to dominate Krejcikova, winning 10 or 12 points at the net in the 87-minute victory.

“I’ve been playing some good tennis, very solid,” the winner said. “I wanted to keep things quick today.

“She’s a very dangerous player and it got tight at the end, I saw what she did against Taylor  – I’m just happy that we are done.”

Krejcikova was under pressure, with all of her previous singles matches running to three sets; she was also participating in doubles and likely had the stress of the win over Townsend in the back of her mind.

Pegula ran off a 3-0 lead in the opening set – winning 12 of the first 15 points – and claimed six of seven games to reach a 4-1 double break situation in the second set.

The seed slipped momentarily as she dropped serve as her opponent rallied for 2-4, but Pegula closed out the win three games later on her first match point.

“I’m really comfortable here on the best court in front of the noisiest crowd against the best players,” the winner said.

“A few years ago I never thought Id be good at this,”

Main photo:- Jessica Pegula celebrates victory – by Mark Greenwood/Grandslamtennis