Jessica Pegula advanced to her first Australian Open semifinal by defeating compatriot Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 7-6(0) in a quarterfinal matchup. The fourth seed capitalized on her opponent's errors to secure the victory in Melbourne. Pegula will next face Elena Rybakina in the semifinals.
In a closely contested quarterfinal at the Australian Open 2026, Jessica Pegula from Buffalo, New York, overcame Amanda Anisimova from Freehold, New Jersey, to reach the semifinals for the first time in Melbourne. The match, pitting the fourth seed against the sixth, ended 6-2, 7-6(0) after a tense second-set tiebreaker that Pegula dominated 7-0.
Pegula, approaching her 32nd birthday, sought her maiden semifinal appearance in the tournament, having previously reached the quarterfinals four times in six years. Anisimova, seven years younger and in her first quarterfinal here, had not dropped a set in her prior four rounds against unseeded opponents. Pegula entered the clash after defeating defending champion Madison Keys in straight sets in the round of 16. The head-to-head favored Pegula 3-0, with their last meeting in the summer of 2024.
The first set saw Pegula break early, capitalizing on Anisimova's three consecutive unforced errors and a backhand return winner for a 2-0 lead. Pegula consolidated with three winners, including two aces, and later broke again amid more errors from Anisimova, racing to 5-1. Despite Anisimova holding serve, Pegula closed the set with an ace after navigating a break point.
The second set was a battle of breaks. Anisimova held firm early despite double faults and break points, but Pegula's consistency shone through. At 4-4, Anisimova broke for a 5-4 lead, only to immediately cede it back with her fourth double fault. Pegula broke again at 5-5, but Anisimova leveled at 6-6. In the tiebreaker, Anisimova won just one point, undone by four unforced errors, while Pegula sealed it with backhand winners and a well-placed serve.
Anisimova struggled with seven double faults and 44 unforced errors, contrasting Pegula's steadier performance: 70% first-serve points won, 64% on second serves, and 4 of 11 break points converted. Pegula hit 20 winners to 21 unforced errors and won 5 of 6 net points.
Pegula now faces fifth seed Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, in the semifinals. The pair is tied 3-3 in head-to-head, with their most recent encounter a three-set win for Rybakina in the 2025 WTA Finals semifinals. This will be their first Grand Slam meeting. Rybakina advanced by defeating world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals and seeks her second Australian Open final after a 2023 loss to Aryna Sabalenka.
