Australian Open 2026: Jessica Pegula sees off Amanda Anisimova to book maiden semi-final spot

Jessica Pegula is into the semi-final of the Australian Open for the first time in her career after seeing off compatriot Amanda Anisimova on Wednesday (28 January).

In an all-U.S. tennis affair at Rod Laver Arena, she overcame Anisimova in straight sets: 6-2, 7-6(1).

Pegula delivered a statement in the opening game of set one, breaking serve without dropping a single point.

The sixth seed added a second game in quick succession and, despite Anisimova pulling one back, went on to build a healthy 5-1 lead with another flawless service in the fifth.

Landing six aces while winning 85 per cent of her first-serve points illustrated just how dominant Pegula’s first set was, as she ultimately saw it out 6-2.

Set two proved to be a more finely poised contest, a momentum-swinging battle that allowed fourth seed Anisimova a route back into the quarter-final.

The pair were evenly matched until 3-3, when Anisimova began to pull ahead. But at 5-3 and serving for the set, successive double faults invited her opponent back into the game.

At 6-5, Pegula was unable to hold serve, but she dominated the tiebreaker to book her first Australian Open semi-final spot.

She is yet to drop a set in Melbourne, facing Elena Rybakina in the next round.

After the match, Pegula expressed her satisfaction about how she has performed in Melbourne: “I feel like I played some really good tennis here and I like the conditions.

“Even in matches I’ve lost here, I’ve played well, so I’ve been waiting for the time where I can break through.”

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