Pegula Triumphs Over Shnaider 7-5, 6-4 to Secure Finals Spot at Citi DC Open
Jessica Pegula, currently ranked #3 in the world, is on the brink of her twelfth career title, aiming to capture her second in Washington, DC—where she first celebrated victory seven years ago. As the tournament’s top seed, Pegula held a 3-0 lead over Diana Shnaider in their prior encounters, but she approached this match with the respect her younger rival deserved.
Although Shnaider is currently positioned at #18 in the rankings, she previously soared to a career-high of #11 in May 2025. The left-handed Russian had already demonstrated her capability to challenge Pegula, having taken a set off her at the Credit One Charleston Open earlier this year and appearing strong at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, a prestigious WTA 500 event.
In the match’s opening, Shnaider served first and confidently maintained her service game, while Pegula struggled with a flurry of unforced errors that led to an early break. Both players exchanged breaks before settling into a rhythm.
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Shnaider made a strong impression in her tournament debut, maintaining pressure with her powerful forehand. Despite facing adversity with double break points, she held on and stretched to a lead of 4-1. Pegula recovered with a stunning shot to clinch her service game, bringing the score to 2-4.
5-5.
Pegula stormed to a halt, taking hold of momentum and effectively securing the first set 7-5 with a brilliant crosscourt backhand.
In the second set, Shnaider served first yet struggled with consistency, while Pegula capitalized on this by maintaining her focus. Despite a shaky moment while serving for match point, Pegula ultimately closed it out after a flurry of powerful shots.
The match wasn’t flawless, but Pegula’s poise shone through, with her winning 74% of first serves and saving crucial break points. The final stats revealed her sharpness: 5 out of 8 break points converted.
On championship Sunday, Pegula will face another left-handed contender, Alexandra Eala, a rising star from the Philippines currently ranked at a career-high of 28. Eala has displayed her mettle by defeating two top-fifteen players—Elina Svitolina and Naomi Osaka—reaching the final with tenacity. This marks their second tour-level clash, having previously faced off in a tightly contested match last year in Miami.
With Pegula seeking her twelfth title and Eala pursuing her first, the stage is set for an electrifying final!
