By Alberto Amalfi | Saturday, October 14, 2023

 

Jessica Pegula powered past former US Open semifinalist Yanina Wickmayer 6-4, 6-3 into her fourth final of the season at the Korea Open.

Photo credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty

Jessica Pegula is celebrating family heritage—and continuing her winning ways—in Seoul.

The top-seeded Pegula powered past former US Open semifinalist Yanina Wickmayer 6-4, 6-3 into her fourth final of the season at the Korea Open.

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Pegula, whose mother Kim Pegula was born in Seoul, has played inspired tennis while reconnecting with her family roots.

"Being half-Korean and being able to be in the final here is something I can always say," Pegula said. "Hopefully I can win, but nonetheless, it's an honor, so I'm really happy."



Pegula converted four of 14 break points and won 12 of 19 points played on the Belgian's second serve in an 80-minute victory.

The 29-year-old Buffalo native will play Yue Yuan in tomorrow's final.

Earlier, world No. 128 Yuan outlasted American Emina Bektas 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2.

Yuan hit eight aces against one double fault and faced only two break points in a two hour, 27-minute triumph to reach her maiden WTA final.



The 25-year-old baseliner, who edged fourth-seeded Marie Bouzkova 7-5, 7-6(7) in the quarterfinals, is the first Chinese woman to reach the Seoul final.

Montreal champion Pegula, who fell to Veronika Kudermetova in the Tokyo final earlier this month, is playing for her fourth career championship and first on Asian soil.

"She was really hitting the ball super hard, super flat, and I was trying my best to dig out as many balls as I could and really make her earn points," Pegula said of Wickmayer. "I thought I played really well."