Pegula Breaks Quarterfinal Hoodoo, Reaches Maiden Australian Open Semi
MELBOURNE, 29 January 2026 – American sixth seed Jessica Pegula has finally broken her Melbourne Park quarterfinal curse, powering past compatriot and fourth seed Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 7-6(1) to reach her first Australian Open semi-final.
A Long-Awaited Breakthrough
On her fourth attempt at the last-eight stage in Melbourne, the 31-year-old from Buffalo delivered a composed performance on Rod Laver Arena. Pegula, who had previously defeated defending champion Madison Keys in the fourth round, controlled the all-American affair from the baseline, capitalising on a high error count from Anisimova. The victory marks Pegula’s third Grand Slam semi-final overall and improves her dominant head-to-head record against Anisimova to 4-0.
Key Facts & Ranking Implications
| Statistic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Match Result | Jessica Pegula def. Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 7-6(1) |
| Pegula’s Current WTA Rank | World No. 6 |
| Anisimova’s Unforced Errors | 44 during the quarterfinal |
| Pegula’s Grand Slam Best | US Open Finalist (2024) |
| Next Opponent | Elena Rybakina (KAZ, 5th seed) |
Path to the Semis and What’s Next
Pegula’s route to the semi-finals saw her dispatch the defending champion before ending the run of Anisimova, who was on a streak of two consecutive Grand Slam finals. The win guarantees a significant rankings boost for Pegula, who was defending only 130 points from a third-round exit last year. She now stands as the last American woman remaining in the singles draw. Her next challenge is a formidable one: 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. The big-serving Kazakh advanced by upsetting world number two Iga Świątek.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times had Jessica Pegula lost in the Australian Open quarterfinals before this win?
Pegula had lost in the Australian Open quarterfinals on three previous occasions before her victory over Amanda Anisimova.
Can Jessica Pegula become the American No. 1 after the Australian Open?
Yes, by reaching the semi-finals, Pegula has earned enough ranking points to have a strong chance of overtaking compatriot Coco Gauff to reclaim the American No. 1 spot. A run to the final would all but secure it.
Who coaches Jessica Pegula?
Pegula is coached by former ATP doubles specialist Mark Knowles, a three-time Grand Slam doubles champion who leads her support box in Melbourne.