Jessica Pegula vs. Karolina Muchova Full Match | 2024 US Open Semifinal

so that could bring down the pace of the ground strokes from either one of these but Pula played last night she us to it similar conditions but I think mova for me is going to be looking to use the variety as much as possible and Pula on the other hand going to look to try and be aggressive right from that first strike just like she did against Fon last night play left second ser left second sir 15 love [Music] 30 L you can see what Jill just set now Pula on the Baseline taking the serve early trying to take time away from mova just trying to prevent that moova does what she does best her allc Court game variety [Applause] 4 okay Mo straightforward hold first game something long 15 his first we talked about this backhand slice down the line in the previous match with mova such an important shot for her to get right oh because she wants to set up for her big weapon the forehand and most players will take it crosscourt 153 I'm watching and wondering if either of you can see is it nerves right now Pula look I wonder what what Jill will say to me it seems like she's really trying to take time away from moova and risking just a tat too much you saw a few misses into the net this one to the sideline so she's really taking high risk right now and Jill how do you see it you're much closer than we are yeah I'm just looking at the facial expression of both players and I would say pagul is one that definitely looks a little unsettled she's already giving some frustrating reactions frustrating for her it's not much of a reaction but you can tell just with the mistakes that she made she's she's not happy so I still think she's maybe not as sharp and for me moova looks ready to go from the first point there we have it again the same she just missed that forehand not by much as you can see but Pula has to lift the forehand crosscourt and it sets up perfectly for moa's big weapon needs to be really careful on that one out only put three for serves in in the game three out of six but she does one game over manage to get the hold first set I wonder if what you would think is it better that you didn't have long to think about it having played last night and back tonight as opposed to the what maybe typical having a day in between I think it's not bad when you play right away way and just don't have that one day to think about the big occasion and he looks very relaxed Mark NOS love 15 love 1 153 [Music] it's a beautiful pattern here so nice took a bit off on that surf got some kick on it you can see it here how it opens the court then takes time away by approaching the net we can see how close to the net she ends up being well done nice that's something they've been working on with the mar Mark Merkin and Mark noes to get a bit more variety in pula's game just because she plays so nice and clean it often times puts the big players at ease because they get the same kind of Rhythm over and over again so they've been working on making it a bit [Applause] well all the Running by Pula and then the talent of mova wins the point yeah great Court coverage from Jess that's another thing they've been working on is they've transferred a lot of fit was Fitness work onto the court itself from the gym but mova just beautiful hands and again that pattern serve white into the open court advantage mova J there's that that's a terrible look as a player you must hate though look at Mo you w see moova is like Caught no kidding me no no big second chance for Pula for yes [Applause] you can see Pula directing a lot of shots into the side of mova whose bigger weapon is the forehand however she always is leaning towards the backhand side looking for forehands trying to run around her backhand so she leaves a bit of space open on that side and that's what Pula is aiming for and gets another break point yes frustration for Pula that's a tough one for Pula to miss just because I feel like overall when I watch people her net clearance is so low over the net but watching her yes last night and tonight she's getting a little bit more clearance has a little more rotation which is great to see just that extra safety it's nicely done and Jill how what do you make of return position on second serve it's very high in the court very aggressive it is yeah and she was doing that against this fian as well she was taking that risk and it and it paid off so it's something that I think she can continue to do it'll be interesting to see if she starts to mix it up a little bit but because it was so successful against fantech I don't blame her for going after it a little bit more G mov that's a Terri by two games to one moova survives three great points the open that we're no longer surprised by to see arur Ash Stadium full to the very top 23,000 here on semi-final night D left having to now shake off the Lost opportunity beautiful another beautiful Rally from both [Applause] women you can just see the court awareness she she can see Pula gripping the slice grip and right away she's on her way to the front that's just the court awareness she has on the eye for the other side at all times 153 so now that's this becomes a test for Pula coming off the last return game now 1530 and now 1540 154 [Applause] again wow she won the first point and then the game fell apart yeah just a few too many I don't mind the ones that she misses long or to the side so ises that is that tight to you is that what that communicates or tightness something else yeah maybe it's tightness and maybe it's just the too high risk and too little margin right now usopen.org has all the point BYO live scoring the real time stats by the way interesting ones that we may not get to you all at the official tournament site usopen.org 15 yeah just watching a p on this side again this something that you mentioned earlier Andrea about working on her movement that's something that she said she's increasing significantly especially out of the corners and getting back and that's the area where I feel like isn't as sharp compared to last night we know nerves can usually play in a role in the footwork it can slow you down a little bit but I think she will settle and of course a lot of that has to do with how mova makes you feel on court just uncomfortable absolutely in every position you never get the same Rhythm twice you never get the same Pace twice one is chopped one is diced one is sliced and so she makes you feel this way and you think you have to do more than you actually do wory love Refresh on the Hova injury she risk gave out on her right after the US Open last year and all the cons medical Consultants said no try to rehab thank you and she did all the way until February was actually in Dubai hitting and just nice is then Hing in Dubai in in February she finally gave in said this isn't working had surgery shortly thereafter June she was a play on well there are some games and that last game there were a couple points where you just think HOV is just wonderful to watch just just a beautiful player and I really think Jess can have a bit more margin on her ground strokes but other than that it's this woman right here who's just playing so far an almost Flawless match and there is really not a lot you can do when she's playing this well she just looks so sharp in her footwork that these adjustment steps they seem to be exactly where they need to be so precise and Martina is there too now I really am upset I didn't get an invitation this is the coolest Club in New York right now is this seating arrangement right there I saying and this is going to something I mentioned I think with you Andrea what moova is doing right now is what we haven't at least I haven't seen a lot of hitting winners it's not the other players errors that's nine winners already from moova Martina is very happy whenever she sees anybody at the net and look at this yeah yeah this is just at this at this moment you just have to accept right you just have to accept that your opponent is playing tremendous tennis and you have to try and slow the time down not rush what Jess is doing here and hope that the streak ends with a 1540 and the 40 in this game are three winners no Errors By p that4 mov and so there lightly goes the the first set by five games one for set yeah I agree with you both there's this just look about mova right now where she looks completely focused even that slight pause that Pula had between the serves moova was so ready to get on with it and also the other thing that I'm watching the ball go from side to side even I'm surprised sometimes all of a sudden mova is at the net out of nowhere so just that constant surprise that she's continuing to show with the variety I think has just kept Jess off balance drif in love and that is such a smart approach to this match here by mova because the one thing you can do with pul or you cannot do is give her the same shot into the same Corner over and over again and Hova is not doing that at all you can see right here the even when moov is playing a somewhat regular point she's still moving the ball from left to right and Jess never has the time to set up for her ground stres and that's where she gets the energy out of and that fast pace is from setting up for her shot and moova is preventing that today beautifully for I thought we had this out of the way with center and medev last night these 61 sets 45 Y Man first Arthur stadium was just Elric at in the previous match when Naro made a second set push this first set buzz kill family was here they don't see in the player box they choose to sit elsewhere love 15 [Applause] 16 shots to start the set moova doesn't blink B love 30 that feels like there was a bad combination going on on the Pula side this crowd's looking for it now they want to see Pula lift herself a little bit and then hopefully moova level [Music] drops understand different match but last night scenario out here 15 just runs medev off in the first set and then meev immediately reset immediately and you saw it in the first game of the second set that's what folks are hoping to see here with Pula [Applause] 15 there's no opening right now there is very little opening and I think Jess Pula needs to and I hope her team will give her some advice she needs to try and slow the game down All Phases end the great ones and the bad ones and you need to try and make this as tight as possible until mova face good phase ends one of the better if not the best point for do this play yeah that's excellent and I think even though she lost the first 16 shot rally if she can make this match very physical just as she did here and in the first rally of the game I think she has a good chance just remember moova was not at her best physically yesterday she was struggling call and because we have seen no indication of that carryover for M and she breaks to start the second might have a little bit of an edge cuz she looks more comfortable 15 love [Applause] thir he love [Applause] [Music] for I don't know if you two as players see something with that to me is just blar missing second serve returns yeah the second serve the second serve returns are just I see what she's trying Jill just said it she's trying to get depth in because she's I wouldn't say afraid but she has respect of moova game so she fears that if she drops anything short she will be the one losing control of those rallies right away but it's just a bit too much risk rova has won nine of 12 second serve points 4 Andre are you feeling that she should give herself a little bit more space on the return I think so and I think she just took just to get Rhythm yes and I think she just took a few steps back she's now still on the line but not inside the Baseline any longer as she was in the first set and maybe they will just help her to get her Rhythm on the return she has to at least make Returns on second surf that's step number one he really a commentator jigs back to back doubles HOV has put one first serve in in this game still has a chance to hold but good to know she's mortal right good to know she's human because everything thing up until now was very much Immortal status from a quality perspective just you see pula's reaction moova let her back in the game and moova Le by two games still second it holds for two love well and that is the one difference between men's and women's tennis when medv yesterday lost the first set he still has two more to go and for in a woman's match for Kula losing the first set 61 the stakes are immediately so hot time is running out so there is just so much more pressure on resetting that's what usually stands in the ways pressure hey if now you on that the other night when we hit him the whole the match that backand up the line my goodness she's very stable on the backhand side this is what is so uncomfortable against mova that you think you have to try and find the back hand cuz the forehand is the weapon but she doesn't really miss on the backhand Jill you were talking about pula's net clearance you see on the replay how much net clearance muha gets on that back end she does and on the forehand as well but it's crazy how she's able to transition from one to the other she can go high heavy she can go flat and heart and that makes the ball just come through the court a lot faster you can hear the crowd just trying to get behind Pula here that's your wow wow thir for an example one more shot that was incredible get and you could just see Pula take a look back up just I think that ball just drifted through the lights up there so just lost side of it for a moment great effort by moova that was a really nice get by Pula and maybe now with the crowd with a bit of an adrenaline kick she can get something going you can see her still rushing that's the problem the Instinct of a human being is to rush to get through the bad face but in reality she needs to slow down advant F first Ace I think sometimes Andre I don't know feel great but sometimes you don't even know you're rushing true especially when you're in the moment yes it's not just the backand that forehead yeah just very clean technique there is no fault found with how she strikes the ball on any side really Advantage [Applause] beula thank you andula well just the first good thing to happen for beula in a while valit by two games to one second set and the vibe inside Ash stadium is clear they'd like to see what happened in the previous match where Navaro made a nice push a really good push in the second set took sapal Lanka into a tie break for saena one to reach her second consecutive final L 15 B starting to make shant here Kula got m a few times now with passing shots with the lob mova not quite able to put it away it was really high and she has a tiny little opening here 15 th [Music] [Applause] 3 pula's reaction explains it quickly the 30 all and that is what is so fascinating with mova she loses a few points at the net but she continues doing what she does best I think we all know what she just said and we'll just let it stand for itself well Pula had one game 34 first set of that was game three where she had three break points did not convert and set fell apart so now this is the second game where she's had a [Applause] look good and Pula had to have a break to keep life going for her and she gets it for two all it's the first time we really positive response there from Pula and Outburst of come on and also fist pump to her team and that just shows you that her mind where her mindset is she's starting to feel more comfortable and send sends a me message to moova as well that she's in for the fight you saw the icons there representing allj social media platforms you can follow the US Open join the conversation with the hash usop 5 still doesn't look a high % secure on those overheads but gets the second one done and you could see Pula going again for the body surf that was so successful in the previous point but you need to be careful if you play it twice in a row the opponents get used to it and that's exactly point about Rhythm Andre earlier saw Little Slice on the forehand and it draws a Miss yeah and I think on the slice if she could just slice it back into the back hand that's important if you get it to the forehand of moova she will do something with it but if you can get it into the backend she will most likely slice it back and you at at least in a neutral 340 and Jill that was right in front of you could she have hit that it looked like she was there in plenty of time that's so funny I was just thinking that I I don't know why she's going for the slice and right now she's not handling the Drop shots very well even on the previous ious deeper slice that mova hit I felt like she could have come over the forehand so it's interesting she's opting for that slice shot yes [Applause] [Applause] w Advantage Pula [Applause] well that's big big hold break back there could have been back breaking off 15 [Applause] [Applause] 5 and this is such a smart adjustment that she's made mova I called the match between the two in Cincinnati and mova was mostly going down the te on the ad side so you can see Jess always slightly leaning towards that side on important moments and today she's going wide for most of the important points mova this is just very high tennis IQ she knows what she's done a few weeks ago and is trying to surprise her opponent what at that point the much better second Ser return much better and moov doing a slight game plan error in my opinion right now she's going a lot more into the same Corner which sets Pula up for her great strengths and that's why Pula has had more depth on her ground strokes more Pace on it and is able to push moova a lot more in this set definitely more power behind just and also mainly because she's moving better so she's been been able to get behind these balls much faster she's able to load the legs much better which is where a lot of the power comes from so it really is just better positioning that's allowed her to get more pace and depth on her shots well here's the moment Pula can get 23,000 people going right here oo what a point [Applause] 34 this one was brilliant into the feet of moova wellow that's something was serve that wasn't Pula got it [Applause] back yeah that's maybe the most remarkable thing about moova apart from the Beauty and elegance of her game is that she runs into the same situations that haven't gone well well for her we have seen her miss a few of these overheads but now when it matters most she still backs herself she still trusts herself that she will make it this time overit [Applause] oh please yes [Music] [Applause] Advantage Mo for excellent point with a heavy [Applause] serve 110 just a mile off her fastest of the match [Applause] yes something we talked about earlier in the set great Gill is happening in that H's level slipped a bit and now we're starting to see the errors that we didn't in the first yeah absolutely in has of course also to do with this woman's depth and Pace on her ground strokes it's four overheads in this game yeah Advantage mova mov handled them [Applause] all and none of them were particularly easy all of them were required a few Dynamic steps backwards there it was againa into the same corner and that's when p is the one who can change direction one of her biggest strengths she can change directions on the backand seamlessly there is no way for you to guess or recognize when she is going to pull the trigger but moova keeping it too much in one corner go left for Miss not this game has been almost as long as the entire first first set and Pula has worked her way back to a fourth break point Thank [Music] you thank you pleas maybe what this Stadium as much of it has waited for Pula has a lead by four games two two second set can't be surprised by this she played golf in the semi-finals here last year she knows what it's like firsthand to have thank you the obvious play of the stadium rooting for the Home Country Play It's amazing look how many people are moving around after in an even game and the players are playing on what a turn around and what a contest this has become very fun match to watch now Jess Pula has truly arrived here and maybe after this point j i what you're making of moa's physicality to me she she Stills okay it's been it's been fun to watch us turn around actually because there's been so many things that have changed the confidence growing in pugula the depth and the power of her ground strokes increasing which is pushing Hova behind the Baseline a little bit further in this set but as far as the physicality I still feel like exceptionally good I think neither one has been affected as far as by the longer rallies that are now accumulating I think both looking still very very fresh but this has been fun to watch how things have changed that's young that's now A reversal Pula winning a big second serve point having Tove break point [Music] [Applause] [Applause] that point an exchange at the end but mova three second set first set moov and it's not surprising Rising just compounded by the fact that's an American player involved here they want a third set there are plenty more melon balls to be sold tonight whoops 15 no longer pitching a perfect game on the overheads it's all in oh are all out now here we have it what you talked about earlier T just a drop off in level here in the second set and Pula has remained right where she was in the first eight unforced in the first set seven right now let's gone from seven to 16 and moova has gone for around from 7even to 16 unforced [Music] this is long thir in now it's happened over several games so this is what pugula hoped for just every bit of a chance now get this to a deciding set up 153 [Applause] so one thing it I hadn't know until just now mova had a good night at net 15 of 22 I hadn't realized pula's one of nine there's he [Applause] [Music] [Applause] great decisiveness on that low ball which was a lot harder than it looked and she moved up to it quickly hit it accelerated beautifully has a chance to get right back here into this set get out of town what just four games second set hit this incredible footwork to get to death by Jess Pula and then just a half volley low volle all the most difficult shots they tell us that it's that are impossible to hit I'm envious of Jill's VIP look at that that was absolutely ridiculous I'm still in shock well now again tennis does this how quickly this Dynamic changes a few moments ago Pula up a break you're thinking third set now she's in pretty close to a must hold left responding well we saw actually putting the first Serv in in the second set [Applause] new gos please how about that response from pugula the importance of that game she holds in love now it's mova 15 that's the one thing that has dropped off a bit is the first shot after the surf and we just Jill Jill what did you notice about this yeah I did just notice that's on the change over right there I just saw her stretching her back in the previous game as well she was rubbing it a little bit for a couple points when she was on the other side so obviously just trying to loosen it up we might see a few more shots if she wants to try and bring Jess forward I think it's been a great play for her if she doesn't want to if something is bothering her and she doesn't want to stay on the Baseline in these longer rallies so much you might see that tactic a little bit more often and that was what I was going to say the one thing I noticed on the second set her first shot after the surf has really dropped off a lot she's missing a lot of them she's giving just shorter boss off of them maybe just you know having to catch with your that weight of a surve with your lower back just maybe slows you down half a step plus one misses have Lov you beforehand she y two set points thank you 34 [Applause] F pleas second six coming to play one set the right to win the US Open Championship final setsa was on the clock now the case for the timeouts and here we go Pula one set winner plays for the US Open title let's four 15 left man interestingly deep shot through the center of the court is doing wonders right now here we have the dad as you mentioned had not in the players box ter Pula again as that was the case last night not sitting in player box 35 and as the first set was about largely mova winners the second set largely is about mova errors a two to start this game 4 to [Music] [Applause] 15 yeah so p hold first game final set's one set away from playing for a US Open title that's a nice would you rather would you rather your daughter win the US Open or the Buffalo Bills will Super Bowl off 15 get shot you hit that and just can't me at the beginning of the second set the obvious part of you know hoping moa's level would drop a bit on the Pula side well it's feels like it's crashing Jill can you talk a bit about of now it seems to me like she's a step slower yep exactly especially that last one you could see it right just couldn't quite get over to that slice as quickly as she has been and she's and she's rushing a little bit some of these shorter balls she almost feels like she wants to hit and Rush forward and then back pedaling it's just a little more indecisiveness from her a major difference in the first two sets as well remember in the first set we were commenting on Pulu couldn't put second serves in play second serve returns rather moova won seven of 10 second serve points in the first set in the second set moova won three of 15 on her second [Applause] 154 we don't know may not know until afterwards if it's a physical reason but this is not the same player mov we saw in the first set it's not the same player what I'm assuming is if it's the lower back of the back the toughest part of having a lower back issue let's say is when you have to catch your weight after Surf and that's why I think she's missing a lot of the first shots after the surf cuz that's where you need the Quick Step and she can't put it in right now please [Music] now a complete turn now at the start of the third set and what a great reaction from Jess GES but not too much of an emotional reaction she knows there is still some work to be done [Applause] and there were some tips and check from the side unfortunately I cannot translate you don't how's your check not great either I just a rust just conversational right yeah and to frame again what muha [Applause] has where muha may be tonight since last year's US Open to this year's US Open she's played a total of 11 matches [Music] 15 all yeah almost taking half Vol on the Baseline now moova instead of putting the effort in with the footwork on those great deep shots of Jess Pula and this is really a completely different Jess Pula in second and third set when it comes to the depth of her ground stroke she's in the last third the court almost every single time just so much more alert for the ball as well just watch that point and every single time she hits the ball she's just much more ready for that next ball see how on top of that short ball she was on the volley very [Applause] quick reaction if there's a just probably didn't stop him over there how about that to hold a point 34 [Applause] on interesting to say the least 16 shots and now a break point yes [Applause] Advantage [Applause] Pula thank you again Pula and Pula holds off one more push and it's three games away Pula leads by three games still of final sets mova playing just a brilliant first set 15 round two of this US Open mova beat Naomi Osaka in a high level second round match 13 total unforced from moova she has 32 tonight and this is a well played Point by both but just comparing to the first set where moova was moving the ball around all the time changing Paces changing directions right now she's staying in the crosscourt rallies with Pula and Pula gets stronger and stronger in those crosscourt rallies because she can set up for her ground strokes even better so she has more Pace more depth and it gives mova problems and that's why there was such a big turnaround here Andrea also she hasn't been able to use this light as much because of that depth and power from the ground that we saw a little bit more often earlier in this match so that's been a change as well just hasn't been able to use the variety as much as she would like that's a great point in the first set so many times mova played that backand down the line slice pugula lifted it and then mova would go for her forehand Haven we Haven seen that pattern at all in the last two sets and that's her bread and butter 14 15 for set like serve plus one J can you noce anything different with makova not physically she hasn't been grabbing her back like we saw previously in that second set so so that's a good sign hoping that everything is okay I do feel like she has this intent to be more aggressive she's falling inside the court more on the serve which is allowing her to take those couple balls out of the air so I think she's looking for more aggressive play as you watch browser open up US Open shop.org it's the official shop for US Open merch get yourself set get your f set usopenshop.org that's love [Applause] how much of this right now from Pula is a little bit like the just keep the ball in play yeah a little bit she has a bit more Pace on it than yesterday yesterday was really all about keeping the ball in place she knows she has to put a bit on her ground strokes here and she's doing really well oh wow that's 15 wow 108 on the Ser from P Wast it away wow short take back just very stable and the upper body that's what allows her to pull that off and gets a smile and a little bit of a clapping hand nicely done and there it is again that backand slice down the line 4, trying to apply the strategy from the first set moova and Pula is doing well in staying on the backhand side on that but still beautifully pulled off this one right here while moving back not easy to do reaching back for the won her that first set I think her back's feeling a little bit better oh man no she moved incredibly well there just great anticipation from [Applause] mova thank you he [Applause] what a j not vov get up even Pula has to smile one of the greatest reversals from defense to offense by moven that point this was absolute Insanity I want nothing to do with this incredible that's all Pula can do she doesn't smile about it she'd be crying let [Applause] yes that Vantage pulan [Applause] good in Pula well placed and Pula pushes back and holds off mova for four one Thea leads by four games to one final sets 50 love and she on the other hand will want to try and keep this very tight try and keep her hopes and her serve afloat and see how Pula reacts when she has to serve it out that's all she can do really moova [Applause] and Pula able to rush naov I think on the forehand just watching the way Pula is hitting she's coming through the forehand so much faster with the wrist just extra acceleration that's what's giving her that extra Pace off the ground [Applause] 13 15 [Applause] [Applause] there's h [Applause] for fif pass got this again there's the Flash again of the [Applause] moova final is very well done but the biggest difference is this right here Pula now going down the line on those slices and yes she made this one and she played it beautifully mova but she's breaking apart that pattern that is mova bread and butter to play the down the line slice normally she gets a cross cord and she can set up for her weapon beforehand just completely neutralized that pattern so mova just feels like she needs to do something extra [Music] [Applause] that's love [Applause] [Music] for Sil love 14 15 [Applause] [Applause] pula's turn to play some nice defense and actually really interesting I just heard from the check box attack the ball don't wait for it to attack the ball yeah thank you understand some of it that was very clearly was very clearly said and the hov's ball must have dropped on the line yes a little high up yeah I did see it it was yeah was clearly on the line I think she was hoping that it was going to be long it looked like it was drifting long and all of a sudden I think it just caught the back of the line well this game now the tension for that side Vantage Pula [Applause] signal [Applause] M lined up in the alley the backand winner [Applause] yes that was attacking the ball wasn't it that was definitely attacking the ball sh absolutely incredible Tage women here's come on [Applause] attacking again yes rips the forehand loved your point Andrea because that's what we're seeing in this third set we're seeing better level for both winners from both it's really really high quality here they're playing at such high Pace let's [Applause] h Advantage move for well she was set up so well for that shot I think it was just the wrong shot to go for in that moment and the quality your gu has just been absolutely extraordinary I think both keeping Court position very well on top of the [Applause] Baseline oh with this [Applause] yes even the record throw looks elegant that was a heck of a catch that was [Applause] yep just casually no problem well this was a 40 Love Game and now this will be a second serve on the 13th point [Applause] [Music] V thank you let [Applause] oh just a routine 40 Love Hole huh and it all away final [Applause] sets L 15 w [Applause] [Music] we just saw a shot of with Pro the Box Co not there bad time for a bathroom break from coach now there he is just came back thank you oh [Applause] love 14 thank you thank you [Applause] [Music] please 154 thank you [Applause] [Applause] is in the US Open final 64 62 if you watch the first set of this match you could have never envisioned this ending at age 30 just the third American woman to make the US Open final Serena Williams Martina Nao