Photo credit: Bad Homburg Facebook
Jessica Pegula is finding her footing on grass again.
In an all-American clash of Top 10 players, Pegula defeated Emma Navarro 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 to advance to the Bad Homburg Open semifinals today.
A stinging serve propelled Pegula into her fourth semifinal of the season—and first since she defeated Sofia Kenin to capture the Charleston championship on Har-Tru.
Today, Pegula pumped six aces, served 70 percent and saved 7 of 10 break points in a two-hour triumph—her second win over Navarro in as many meetings.
Continuing her hunt for her ninth career title, and third of the 2025 season, Pegula will play either Indian Wells champion and third-seeded Mirra Andreeva or Czech Linda Noskova in tomorrow’s semifinals.
Former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek saved five of six break points stopping Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4, 7-6(5) in one hour, 55 minutes.
It’s the second Bad Homburg semifinal in as many appearances for Swiatek, who improved to 34-10 on the season—second most wins on the WTA Tour behind world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
The fourth-seeded Swiatek is playing her first grass-court tournament of the year and seeking her maiden grass-court final.
Swiatek will play Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini in the semifinals. That match is a rematch of the 2024 Roland Garros final, which saw Swiatek pound Paolini 6-2, 6-1 for her fourth French Open championship.
Earlier, Paolini won 13 of 18 second-serve points in a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia.
The second-seeded Paolini beat the Brazilian for the fourth time in as many meetings.
Placing her returns in the corners, Pegula built a 4-2 lead then laced a return off the service line creating a funky bounce that handcuffed Navarro as she broke again for 5-2.
Serving for the set at 5-4, Pegula saved a break point, threw down an ace for set point then hit the wide serve to take a one-set lead.
Moving fluidly and striking with more depth, Navarro turned the tables in the second set.
The fifth seed exploited a tame Pegula drop shot to break for a 3-1 lead. Navarro saved a break point to back up the break.
An attacking Pegula badly bungled a smash from inside the service line sending it beyond the baseline to drop serve again in the sixth game.
Navarro held at 30 to snatch the second set and force a decider after 81 minutes of play.
Penetrating the grass court with flat returns, Pegula broke for a 3-1 lead in the decider. Pegula pounded down successive aces holding at 15 for 4-1.
Despite playing with taping on her left knee and right shoulder, Pegula closed out the win on an errant forehand.