“I hope third time is a charm” – Pegula looking to heal Canadian Open heartbreak with title win in Montreal

The American has suffered two tough late losses at the National Bank Open in the previous two years but hopes to put past losses to bed with victory in the final on Sunday

SMI/Panoramic

Jamie Malachy

August 13, 2023

Despite frequently performing well on the Canadian hard courts in late summer, Jessica Pegula has never managed to clinch the crown at the National Bank Open.

Not that she hasn’t come close.

Painful past semi-final losses for Pegula

For the past two years in a row, the world No 3 has reached the last four in Canada, only to fall agonisingly short of a spot in the final by losing in three closely fought sets.

Last year, the American found herself a set up against Simona Halep and just one set away from a maiden final in Toronto, before losing the next two to an inspired performance from the Romanian.

In 2021, Pegula was also just one set away from a place in the showpiece match before eventually succumbing to a superb Camila Giorgi in Montreal.

This year, however, she got herself over the line, reaching the final by beating world No 1 Iga Swiatek in a see-saw semi-final encounter.

Past losses on Pegula’s mind in last four win over Swiatek

I hope third time is a charm
Pegula on two tough losses in her past two National Bank Open appearances

Those semi-final losses were understandably at the forefront of Pegula’s mind in the aftermath of her win over the Pole yesterday.

“I’ve always played really well here, and I’ve lost a couple of tough matches in semi-finals here as well,” Pegula said in her post-match press conference.

“I remember I lost a tough one to Halep last year and then another one to Giorgi.

“Again, they both went on to win the tournament, so I hope that means that I can get the win tomorrow.

“I hope third time is a charm.”

Rybakina or Samsonova await in the final

Despite this win marking a significant landmark achievement for Pegula, the American No 1 has no intention of stopping there.

Pegula revealed that she would be watching the second semi-final between Elena Rybakina and Liudmila Samsonova closely as she formulates her gameplan for Sunday’s final.

“I’ll definitely watch.

“Two very similar players. Serve big, hit big, like to really go after their shots. Both really tall, physical girls.

“I really feel like it’s a toss-up. I’m not really sure who is going to win, but whoever wins, I feel like it’s a very similar game plan. Trying to take away their serve and then doing my best to — I think to just play my game.

“I think I match up well against them at the same time, but it will be tough. They’re two big servers that play very aggressive, so we’ll see what happens.”

Third WTA 1000 final for Pegula

Pegula has the experience to handle the occasion on Sunday.

This will be her third WTA 1000-level final, having finished as runner-up to Ons Jabeur at last year’s Madrid Open and winning her maiden 1000-level title in Guadalajara at the end of last season.

The American will face a tough task whoever she takes on in the final.

Nevertheless, Jessica Pegula has a golden chance to put the past pain of near misses to bed on Sunday should she take home her second WTA 1000 trophy in Montreal.