after Swiatek, Alexandrova overthrows Pegula and joins Collins in semi-final in Miami

By Le Figaro with AFP

Published 3 minutes ago, Updated now

Ekaterina Alexandrova (29 years, 16th in the world). AL BELLO / AFP

The Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova, who is playing the best tennis of her career in Miami, once again created a surprise by dismissing Jessica Pegula (3-6, 6-4, 6-4) to reach the semi-finals of this WTA 1000.

Without doubt the best tennis week of his life. The Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova, 16th player in the world, once again created a surprise by eliminating, two days after dismissing Iga Swiatek, world number one, the American Jessica Pegula (n°5) 3-6, 6-4, 6 -4. She will meet another American, Danielle Collins (53rd), in the semi-finals of the WTA 1000 tournament in Miami.

In front of his home crowd, Pegula took the lead in the first set, achieving a first break in the seventh game, before winning 6-3. But the Russian, seeded n°14, reacted immediately in the second set by taking the American’s serve, an advantage which she retained until returning to one set everywhere… before doing it again from the start of the third set. Jessica Pegula responded this time by returning to 3-3, before giving in again, with a direct error in the backhand.

“In the first set, Pegula was everywhere”said the Russian after her success. “I was patient and tried to seize every opportunity”, added the one who will enter the Top 15 next Monday, a first for the one who, at 29 years old, has not done better than a round of 16 in a Grand Slam. It was at Wimbledon in 2023.

In Miami, she will find Danielle Collins in the last four, who beat Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia, seeded No. 23, in two sets 6-3, 6-2. Reduced at the shoulder, the Lyonnaise may have regrets: besides Elena Rybakina (4th in the world), all the main favorites have fallen. Seeing an unexpected player win this tournament obviously cannot be ruled out.