US Open 2024 SF: Jessica Pegula vs Karolina Muchova preview, head-to-head, prediction and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (6) Jessica Pegula vs Karolina Muchova
Date: September 5, 2024
Tournament: US Open 2024
Round: Semifinal
Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, United States
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Hard
Prize money: $75,000,000
Live telecast: USA - ESPN | Canada - TSN | UK - Sky Sports | India - Sony Sports
Jessica Pegula vs Karolina Muchova preview
Home favorite Jessica Pegula will take on last year's semi-finalist Karolina Muchova in this year's semi-final of the US Open. Pegula has been in sublime form in New York as she is yet to drop a set in the event. She defeated two American opponents Shelby Rogers and Sofia Kenin in straight sets in the first two rounds.
The sixth seed defeated Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain in straight sets in the third round. The American favorite faced off against a seeded opponent for the first time in the tournament when she played 18th-seeded Diana Shnaider in the fourth round, winning in straight sets. However, Pegula's biggest win came when she defeated top seed and World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the quarter-final in straight sets.
On the other, Karolina Muchova has shown similar form as the Czech player is yet to drop a set at Flushing Meadows this year as well. After getting past Katie Volynets in the first round, the Czech won against four-time Major champion Naomi Osaka in the second round. She then defeated Anastasia Potapova in the third round in straight sets.
The World No. 52 caused a massive upset when she defeated fifth-seeded Jasmine Paolini in the fourth round in straight sets, with the Italian coming to New York on the back of making successive finals at the French Open and the Wimbledon. Muchova caused another upset as she dominantly defeated 22nd-seeded Beatriz Haddad Maia in the quarter-final.
Jessica Pegula vs Karolina Muchova head-to-head
The head-to-head stands at 1-0 in favor of Pegula, with the American winning the only encounter at this year's Cincinnati Open in three tight sets.
Jessica Pegula vs Karolina Muchova odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Jessica Pegula vs Karolina Muchova prediction
Pegula has hit 18 aces in this year's US Open, winning 76 percent of the first serve points. The American has won 56 percent of the return games in the tournament, winning 62 percent of the points while returning the second serve of the opponent. The sixth seed has grabbed her openings in the match as he has converted 50 percent of the break-point opportunities she has faced at the Open this year.
Muchova has won a similar 76 percent of the first-serve points while serving out 22 aces and only 7 double faults in the entire tournament. On the return wing, the Czech player has won 61 percent of the points while returning the first serve of her opponents, converting 47 percent of the break point opportunities.
This will be the first Major semi-final for Pegula in her career, whereas Muchova knows what to expect while facing an American player in the semi-final of the US Open, as she played against Coco Gauff last year at the same stage. However, given the current hard-court form Pegula is the favorite to win the match.
Pick- Pegula to win in three sets