Jessica Pegula pulled off a notable feat in Riyadh as the 31-year-old is the oldest player since Venus Williams in 2017 to reach the semifinal stage at the WTA Finals.
The American, who celebrated her 31st birthday in February, was handed a very strong group after drawing Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Jasmine Paolini. Still, the world No. 5 managed to deliver (d. Gauff and Paolini, l. Sabalenka) and reach the knockout stage.
When Pegula takes on Elena Rybakina on Friday, it will be her second semifinal at the season-ending tournament. Previously, she finished as runner-up in 2023 and failed to make it past the group stage in 2022 and 2024.
Also, the 31-year-old American will be the oldest semifinalist since Williams, who was 37 when she reached the last-four stage at the season-ending tournament in 2017. That year, Williams reached the final before losing to Caroline Wozniacki.
Pegula acknowledged it was all but easy to secure a WTA Finals spot
"I felt like this year was so competitive. I felt like this group has been so strong all year and we've all had a time of the year where we've played such a high level. I do feel like the level has been crazy, crazy deep this year. It feels a little bit harder than maybe past years," the world No. 5 said after making it past the Round Robin stage.
As mentioned above, Pegula has already played once in the WTA Finals semifinal. On the other side, 26-year-old Rybakina is set for her debut in this stage of the season-ending tournament.
Pegula leads their head-to-head 3-2.
