BEIJING — Jessica Pegula became the third American to reach the China Open semifinals after rallying to defeat compatriot Emma Navarro on Friday.
After failing to convert six set points in the opening set, the fifth-seeded Pegula lost it in a tiebreak. However, she recovered to dominate the remainder of the match, securing a 6-7 (2), 6-2, 6-1 victory.
“I told myself not to get too frustrated,” Pegula said. “Just stay calm, try to relax a little bit, and not try as hard to execute the game plan. That kind of allowed me to play more free.”
Pegula will next face Linda Noskova, who advanced with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Britain’s Sonay Kartal. With the victory, the 20-year-old Noskova became the youngest Czech player to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal since the format was introduced in 2009.
The tournament’s other semifinal will be an all-American encounter between defending champion Coco Gauff and third-seeded Amanda Anisimova.
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