Jessica Pegula Stages Remarkable Comeback

Jessica Pegula mounted an impressive comeback by saving five championship points to defeat Anna Kalinskaya and secure the Berlin Open title, affirming her status as a contender for Wimbledon. Her victory marked a significant achievement after returning from injury and missing the European clay-court season. Jessica Pegula, who missed the European clay-court season due to injury, returned to competition last week in the Netherlands.

She first completed her rain-delayed semi-final against Coco Gauff, her doubles partner and the world number two, with a 7-5 7-6 (7-2) victory on Sunday. In a tense final against Russia’s Kalinskaya, Pegula rallied from a 4-1 deficit in the third set to secure a 6-7 (0-7) 6-4 7-6 (7-3) triumph. This win marked Pegula’s fifth WTA Tour title and her maiden victory on grass.

Last year, the 30-year-old American reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, falling to eventual champion Marketa Vondrousova in three sets. Pegula is set to compete at the Eastbourne International ahead of Wimbledon which commences on 1 July.

At the Birmingham Classic, Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan secured her first grass-court title by defeating Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic 6-1 7-6 (10-8). The victory marked a significant achievement for Putintseva, who had previously excelled on clay courts. She overcame a deficit in the final set and capitalized on her third match point as Tomljanovic missed a crucial forehand wide.

Reflecting on her unexpected victory, the 29-year-old admitted feeling both amazed and confused, given her usual prowess on clay. Tomljanovic seeking her maiden WTA title, was appearing in her first final since dropping out of the top 100 due to injuries in 2023.