Pegula Wins Cincinnati Rollercoaster Against Anisimova To Reach Semi-Finals

Pegula in action 

Jessica Pegula outlasts Amanda Anisimova in deciding tiebreak to make Cincinnati last four. Pegula prevails as Anisimova falters with 56 unforced errors in Cincinnati.

Pegula survives Anisimova test to reach Cincinnati semi-finals...

Jessica Pegula edged fellow American Amanda Anisimova 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(7) to book a spot in the Cincinnati Open semi-finals on Thursday, with the tight contest decided in a final-set tiebreak.

Anisimova fell behind 3-1 early in the opener but fought back to level. Serving at 5-4, Pegula, the world No. 3, delivered a love hold to close out the first set in 34 minutes.

Anisimova came out sharper in the second set. She converted her first break-point chance in game two and raced to a 3-0 lead before Pegula called for a medical timeout, causing a brief pause in play.

A flying start ✈️@JPegula takes a 6-4 lead over Anisimova in the first quarterfinal in Cincy!#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/dVVdDj92W4

— wta (@WTA) August 20, 2026

Pegula resumed and was broken straight away, but hit back with two games in a row. Anisimova, the ninth seed, eventually broke again to seal the set, though her momentum looked to be slipping ahead of the decider.

Pegula seized the momentum at the start of the decider, reeling off three straight games and breaking twice to take early control.

Heading to a decider 👀@AnisimovaAmanda forces a third set against Pegula, sealing the second 6-2!#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/CNLaw9TzAh

— wta (@WTA) August 20, 2026

Anisimova steadied herself and refused to go quietly, fighting back from 5-3 down to lead 6-5. Pegula held her nerve to force it back to 6-6 and then prevailed in the tiebreak.

Anisimova battled hard all match but was undone by 56 unforced errors.

Up next for Pegula is a semi-final against No.7 Iga Swiatek after Elena Rybakina forced retire, who later met on Thursday.

Match Statistics