US Open: Jessica Pegula earns title date with Aryna Sabalenka

The cheers of home fans cheers echoed through Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday as Jessica Pegula staged an astonishing comeback to beat Karolina Muchova 1-6 6-4 6-2 and set up a meeting with Aryna Sabalenka in her first Grand Slam final.

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The prospect of an all-American final had already been scotched when Belarusian Sabalenka earlier downed Emma Navarro 6-3 7-6(2) and for a while in the later match, it looked like the host nation would be unrepresented in the title-decider.

Playing in her first Major semifinal, Pegula was made to look like a novice by Muchova in a disastrous opening set but somehow turned the tables on the unseeded Czech.

“It comes down to really small moments that flip momentum,” said Pegula. “She made me look like a beginner ... I was about to burst into tears because it was embarrassing. I started to play like how I wanted to play ... It took a while but I don’t know how I turned that around, honestly.”

Sabalenka, the runner-up to American Coco Gauff last year, earlier relied on her superior power to subdue the 13th seed Navarro, sending over 34 winners and closing out the match with a satisfying overhead smash on match point.

Navarro took out Gauff in the fourth round but was no match for the two-time Australian Open champion, even with a passionate home crowd urging her on.

Sabalenka, who jokingly offered the crowd a free round of drinks if they supported her over the home hope, teased the fans after the win.

“Now you’re cheering for me — wow — it’s a bit late,” she said. “Even though you guys were supporting her, I had goosebumps. She’s such a great player, really tough opponent.”