Pegula hangs on to dispatch Anisimova, reach Cincinnati semi-finals

Cincinnati Masters quarter-finalist Jessica Pegula outplayed fellow American Amanda Anisimova 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7/4) to advance to the semi-finals. Pegula, ranked world No 3, extended her winning streak against Anisimova by securing her sixth victory in their five encounters. Anisimova, the sixth seed, converted all five of her break points, breaking Pegula three times in the second set.

However, Pegula bounced back to claim her sixth win in as many meetings. Pegula is making WTA history, as she is the fourth player since 2009 to reach five or more Masters 1000 quarter-finals after turning 30, joining Li Na, Serena Williams, and Svetlana Kuznetsova. The quarter-finals featured a record 10 U.S. players, making up half of the contenders.

Pegula dominated the first set, winning it in just 34 minutes. Anisimova answered in the second set by breaking Pegula's serve four times in a row, but Pegula quickly regained the advantage, winning four points straight and ultimately clinching the match with a decisive break in the tiebreaker. Pegula will face the winner of the defending champion Iga Swiatek's quarter-final clash with reigning Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina. The rematch of last week's Toronto final is set to take place on Thursday night.