Jessica Pegula Edges Madison Keys to Set Up Sabalenka Berlin Semi

Pegula beats Keys in straight sets to reach Berlin semi-finals

World No. 4 Jessica Pegula defeated fellow American Madison Keys in straight sets to advance to the Berlin semi-finals, extending her US winning streak to 7.

Jessica Pegula outlasts Madison Keys 7-6 7-6 in Berlin heat...

World No. 4 Jessica Pegula booked a spot in the Berlin WTA semi-finals Friday, beating fellow American Madison Keys in straight sets.

The 2024 Berlin grass-court champion edged it 7-6(5), 7-6(8) under brutal heat in the German capital.

It was the first time they’d met since Pegula stopped Keys’ Australian Open title defense back in January. Both players broke serve once in the opening set, then it went to a tiebreak - Pegula took it 7-5.

Pegula jumped ahead 4-2 in the second, but Keys hit back to force another tiebreak. Pegula closed it out 10-8 in the breaker, making it seven straight wins over fellow Americans this year.

The 32-year-old American will meet either world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka or Nikola Bartunkova in Saturday’s semi-final.

Later Friday, No. 8 Elina Svitolina faces Alexandra Eala, who knocked out Elena Rybakina on Thursday.

In the final quarter-final, 8th seed Linda Noskova goes up against Spanish wildcard Paula Badosa.