Jessica Pegula sinks Madison Keys to reach Berlin Open semis

USA’s Jessica Pegula reacts during the women’s singles quarter-final match against USA’s Madison Keys during the WTA500 Berlin Tennis Open tournament in Berlin on June 19, 2026. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)

BERLIN–American world number four Jessica Pegula reached the semi-finals of the Berlin Open after beating countrywoman Madison Keys on Friday.

Pegula, a 2024 champion on the Berlin grass, won 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (10/8) over her close friend and podcast co-host Keys in sweltering conditions in the German capital.

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In their first meeting since Pegula ended Keys’ title defence at the Australian Open in January, both players each broke serve once in the opening set and forced a tiebreak, which Pegula won.

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Pegula ran out to a 4-2 lead in the second but Keys fought back to once again set up a tiebreak. Pegula triumphed 10-8 in the tiebreak to extend her winning run to seven without defeat over fellow Americans this calendar year.

The 32-year-old American will face either world number one Aryna Sabalenka or Nikola Bartunkova in the semi-finals on Saturday.

Eighth seed Linda Noskova defeated Spanish wildcard Paula Badosa 6-1, 6-3 in Friday’s second quarter-final.

Later on Friday, world number eight Elina Svitolina takes on Alexandra Eala, who eliminated Elena Rybakina on Thursday.

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