Jessica Pegula knocks out Coco Gauff in semis, beats Anna ...

Jessica Pegula defeated Anna Kalinskaya 6-7(0) 6-4 7-6 (3) in the final to win the Berlin Open. Prior to that, the American star defeated Coco Gauff in a rain-interrupted semi-final.

Pegula knocks out Gauff in semis, beats Kalinskaya to win Berlin Open. Courtesy: AP

Jessica Pegula triumphed at the Berlin Open on Sunday after a riveting series of matches, featuring a rain-interrupted semi-final against top seed Coco Gauff and a final showdown with Anna Kalinskaya. Pegula, a world-ranked fifth player, began her semi-final on Saturday, leading 7-5, 6-6 (3-1) when rain suspended play. Under cloudy skies on Sunday, she swiftly concluded the match, clinching the final set 7-6 (2).

In the final, Pegula faced a challenging opponent in Russia's Anna Kalinskaya. Despite dropping the first set 6-7(0) in a fiercely competitive exchange, Pegula rebounded with a break in the opening game of the second set, which she won 6-4. The third set saw Pegula taking a 3-1 lead with an early break, only for Kalinskaya to counter with a break of her own, making it 4-4 after saving four break points.

In a dramatic turn, Kalinskaya nearly clinched two additional breaks, but Pegula demonstrated remarkable resilience, saving five match points to force a tiebreaker. Dominating the tiebreak, Pegula emerged victorious, winning it 7-6 (3).

This victory earned Pegula her fifth career singles title and her first on grass, a significant achievement just days before Wimbledon, where she reached the quarter-finals the previous year. The Berlin Open win not only adds to her credentials but also boosts her confidence as she heads into one of tennis's most prestigious tournaments.

Pegula's performance, especially under pressure, underscores her status as a formidable player on the women's circuit. With newfound momentum, she aims to carry this form into Wimbledon, enhancing her prospects for another deep run, if not a title, at the All England Club.

Earlier this year, Pegula pulled out of the French Open. Back then, she pledged to make a strong comeback and she lived up to his promise with a win in Berlin.