WATCH: Iga Swiatek breaks down in tears after losing to Jessica Pegula in US Open 2024 QF
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek was visibly emotional after losing to home favorite Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals of the 2024 US Open on September 4. The defeat ended her bid for a second tournament title and a sixth Grand Slam victory.
Swiatek came to New York on the back of a semifinal exit at the Cincinnati Open. She kicked off her campaign strong, defeating Kamilla Rakhimova in straight sets and then securing dominant wins over Ena Shibahara, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and Liudmila Samsonova to reach the last four, where she faced Pegula.
Pegula entered the tournament following a title win at the Canadian Open and a runner-up finish in Cincinnati. She defeated Shelby Rogers, Sofia Kenin, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, and Diana Shnaider before taking on the Pole.
The American stunned Swiatek to advance to her first Grand Slam semifinal. After losing her previous six Major quarterfinals, she knocked out the top seed with a 6-2, 6-4 victory in New York, setting up an encounter with Karolina Muchova in the last four.
Iga Swiatek took some time to come to terms with her loss, visibly upset as she received treatment in the players' area. She was seen crying and wiping away tears, struggling to cope with the defeat.
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"I took advantage of some things Iga Swiatek was not doing so well" - Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula joked about finally breaking her Grand Slam quarterfinals curse during her on-court interview after defeating Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals of the 2024 US Open.
"I've been (to the quarterfinals) so many freaking times - I just kept losing," Pegula said. "Finally, I can say semifinalist. Thanks to the crowd. I sent over a 65mph second serve (on a third match point) because I was so tight."
The American also highlighted how she capitalized on the mistakes made by the Pole and focused on staying calm and composed, doing everything she could to avoid frustration.
"I did everything I could to not get frustrated. I took advantage of some things she [Iga Swiatek] was not doing so well and just rode that momentum."
Pegula will face Czech Karolina Muchova in the semifinals on September 6. If she wins, she will meet either compatriot Emma Navarro or Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka in the championship match.