Disbelieving Marketa Vondrousova called her first appearance at a Wimbledon semi-final “crazy” after recovering from three games behind in the final set to beat Jessica Pegula at Wimbledon 2023.
The world No.42 secured a fourth successive win over a seed as she knocked out the world No.4 with a stylish display of shot-picking.
The 24-year-old, whose only previous appearance beyond the fourth round at a grand slam was a run to the French Open final in 2019, dominated after a weather-imposed delay to set up a meeting against fellow unranked player Elina Svitolina, who stunned world No.1 Iga Swiatek shortly afterward.
“I don’t know what happened,” Vondrousova told BBC Sport as members of her entourage were seen crying in her box.
“It was very tough. It’s an amazing feeling. I cannot believe it, actually. I’d never played here on Court One, under the roof. I fought until the end and I’m just so happy.”
MORE: Iga Swiatek knocked out of Wimbledon by Elina Svitolina
Vondrousova exchanged two breaks apiece with Pegula during an entertainingly uneven opening before producing one more to take the first set 6-4 in a contest between players making their debuts in the Wimbledon quarter-finals.
American Pegula reflected the superiority she held in the rankings during a significantly more assured second set performance, repeatedly racing to the net and succeeding with precise forehand shots, as well as a sublime cross-court drop shot to level the scores.
The six-time quarter-finalist at majors looked set to seal the final-four place she has long pursued when she moved 4-1 ahead in the deciding set, aided by Vondrousova errors but driven more by her own decision to go on the attack to accurate effect.
5 – Marketa Vondrousova is only the fifth left-handed player to reach the Women’s Singles semi-final at Wimbledon in the last 30 years, after Martina Navratilova, Petra Kvitova, Lucie Safarova and Angelique Kerber. Rare.#Wimbledon | @Wimbledon @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/VPd1xHPinK
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) July 11, 2023
Pegula, understandably, looked a little unimpressed to be informed by officials of a delay after establishing that commanding lead, the roof rightly coming on over Court One minutes before rain forced the covers to be briefly drawn over the grass.
Neither player initially seemed affected once they re-emerged, only for Vondrousova to show off her immense variety of shots again as she took five successive games, including an epic 31-shot rally won by Pegula during her final service game.
Having won only one Wimbledon match in four appearances before this year, Vondrousova looked a natural on the surface during her victory in an intense tactical battle. “She got so much better in the second set and she was pushing me,” the Czech underdog said of her opponent, adding that the interlude had helped her “a lot”.
The Sporting News had live updates below as Vondrousova secured another upset at Wimbledon 2023.
MORE: Tennis’ top grand slam winners of all-time: Who has won the most titles?
Jessica Pegula vs Marketa Vondrousova result
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jessica Pegula (4) | 4 | 6 | 4 |
| Marketa Vondrousova | 6 | 2 | 6 |
Jessica Pegula vs Marketa Vondrousova live updates, highlights from Wimbledon 2023
*Denotes server
Jessica Pegula 4-6 Marketa Vondrousova* – Vondrousova reaches the semifinals of Wimbledon 2023
The ideal start for Marketa Vondrousova as she serves for the match, Jessica Pegula returning both of her opening two serves long.
Pegula finds the net after a brief rally to bring up three match points for her opponent, but a venomous forehand gives Vondrousova no chance and shows Pegula’s determination to stay in this.
She’s out, though! It’s a fifth straight game for Vondrousova, who volleys at the net to reach her first Wimbledon semifinal!
Semi-final secured.
The emotion pours out as Marketa Vondrousova seals her place in the last four#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/bUrxTupHkq
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 11, 2023
Vondrousova is emotional in her chair, holding her towel to her face. Pegula, who played such an impressive part in a wonderful match, quickly makes her way off after falling short for a sixth successive quarterfinal in a major.
The world number 42 will meet Elina Svitolina in the semifinals!
3 – Marketa Vondrousova is now the third player in the Open Era to reach the Women’s Singles semi-final at Wimbledon after defeating four seeded opponents, after Zheng Jie (2008) and Barbora Strycova (2019). Gauntlet.#Wimbledon | @Wimbledon @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/4Vvo044Ml2
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) July 11, 2023
Jessica Pegula* 4-5 Marketa Vondrousova
A brisk and brilliant baseline rally ends when Marketa Vondrousova mixes it up in typically bold style, attempting the kind of drop shot she has regularly succeeded with today.
Pegula reaches it but watches Vondrousova send a volley past her in return, then responds with two convincing serves to put herself back on track before lifting a forehand from deep long for 30-30.
An exceptional forehand down the line from Vondrousova takes it to deuce, then Pegula shows her class to keep sending the ball back as her opponent hammers shots around the court. A judicious drop shot leads to Vondrousova finding the net in the culmination of a magnificent 31- shot rally – the longest of the match so far.
Pegula had the nick of the net in that point, and she finds it again for the shot that wins her advantage – not that she needs it with a backhand that strong and precise. Then she errs for deuce again and sends a backhand into the net from a Vondrousova shot that lands on the line. Break point again.
Vondrousova wins her fourth straight game! A Pegula shot goes long – she must now break if she is to stay in the championships.
Jessica Pegula 4-4 Marketa Vondrousova*
A potentially crucial challenge from Marketa Vondrousova, whose serve is shown to have been in to bring her seventh ace of the match and make it 30-15.
Vondrousova affords herself a smile and serves out the game with little resistance. It’s now been three games since Jessica Pegula added numbers to the board.
Jessica Pegula* 4-3 Marketa Vondrousova
A glorious volley from Marketa Vondrousova at the net brings up 15-30 and cuts out a fine passing shot from Jessica Pegula, giving the world number 42 sight of the break she needs after errors from both players at the start of the game.
You can hear the thunderous echo on the racquets in a gripping fourth point, Vondrousova slamming a winner away to earn herself two break points, the first of which she squanders by looping a misplaced shot awry.
Vondrousova takes the second, though! A forehand spin cross shot at the net is too hot for Pegula to handle. Vondrousova has a word with the umpire at the net as she heads back to her seat with the chance to level the scores on service – not that that’s any guarantee of what’s to come in this unpredictable clash.
Jessica Pegula 4-2 Marketa Vondrousova*
Like her opponent, Marketa Vondrousova doesn’t initially appear distracted by the weather delay, winning the first point of a crucial service game after an unsuccessful challenge by Jessica Pegula, then firing an ace down the line.
A wildly long forehand and two poor second serves give Pegula a break point and 40-30, which Vondrousova recovers from with two admirably composed first serves to take advantage. She then sees the game out with another serve that Pegula can only send out of play – it’s so important to the Czech that she at least gets her first deliveries in, because she’s only winning around one in four on her second.
Jessica Pegula* 4-1 Marketa Vondrousova
Marketa Vondrousova can’t return Jessica Pegula’s first serve to telling effect as she falls 15-0 behind, then engages in the latest long and entertaining rally between these two, sending her final shot a little long.
A typically forceful cross-shot forehand at the net gives Pegula 40-0, from where she is beaten by an audacious Vondrousova lob from the baseline that is called wide.
Vondrousova challenges and Pegula sportingly gives her the point, but there’s no such charity as she sees out the game in the next point to move 4-1 ahead. She’s two games away from her first major semifinal – reward for going on the attack more during the last two sets.
Jessica Pegula 3-1 Marketa Vondrousova – play stopped by weather
The players are back out on court. As she did before the start of the match, Jessica Pegula, who is three games from a semifinal against Iga Swiatek or Elina Svitolina, emerges with headphones on.
Then the pair begin to find their range with serves once more. Will the weather break benefit Marketa Vondrousova as she seeks the minimum of a break she needs to stay in Wimbledon 2023? She’s already beaten three seeds, but it would be perhaps the greatest achievement of her career if she can recover from 3-1 down in the final set to beat the world number four here.
Jessica Pegula 3-1 Marketa Vondrousova – play stopped by weather
Good call from the officials – the rain beat the roof being drawn over Court One, which means that the ground staff have had to pull the covers over the grass.
We’ll keep you posted on how the return of play is looking here. In the meantime, you can also catch up with the latest from a dramatic-looking quarterfinal between Iga Swiatek and Elina Svitolina courtesy of the excellent Dom Farrell for The Sporting News.
The winner of that match will play the victor in this one.
Jessica Pegula 3-1 Marketa Vondrousova*
An unwise attempted drop shot from the baseline only succeeds in dropping Marketa Vondrousova in trouble as it nestles into the base of the net.
Jessica Pegula then persists with her forehand and draws another error from Vondrousova to break!
Tournament official and former player Denise Parnell is on the turf to tell the umpire that the roof will be closed because of anticipated rain. Pegula, as you might expect after seizing the momentum, doesn’t look terribly impressed and has a chat with Parnell. It looks like the players will stay in their seats while a delay of between ten to 15 minutes ensues.
Jessica Pegula* 2-1 Marketa Vondrousova
An enthralling baseline rally begins this game, the best shot being the decisive one from Marketa Vondrousova – a blistering backhand that Jessica Pegula cannot reach on the run.
The second point is even better, Pegula coming to the net with accuracy. Vondrousova hangs up a hopeful lob, seeing it returned with gusto beyond her.
There are such fine margins when the shot-making is this good. Pegula sends a shot into the net to give Vondrousova a break point at 40-30, but comes to the net again with a confident forehand and sure volley to see off the danger.
Vondrousova then sends a shot just clear of the baseline at the net to end another tactically gifted exchange and grant Pegula the hold.
Jessica Pegula 1-1 Marketa Vondrousova*
We’re no nearer to knowing the destiny of the semifinal place at stake here following the opening two games of the set, Marketa Vondrousova’s suspect forehand shots from the first game calming down a little as she holds.
A glorious backhand down the line from Pegula takes it to 40-30, but she can’t send a strong final serve from Vondrousova back over the net.
Jessica Pegula* 1-0 Marketa Vondrousova
The shot of the game is Marketa Vondrousova’s, racing in to meet a drop shot with a lob that lands near the back of the court.
Jessica Pegula can only loft an overhead ball up in the air with her back to the net, and Vondrousova’s smash makes it 30-30.
There’s no such success for the Czech as she sends a routine forehand into the net on break point after taking it to deuce. Two more mistakes – another shot against the net and a long reply – gives Pegula the first game of the third set. “Settle down please, ladies and gentlemen,” advises the umpire. “Play is continuous.”
Jessica Pegula 6-2 Marketa Vondrousova* – Pegula wins the second set
That’s how to win a set! Another exchange of drop shots ends with Pegula arching a diagonal return on the stretch beyond Marketa Vondrousova to level up the scores.
Vondrousova had produced two heavy serves to almost rescue herself from 0-40 down, but it wasn’t enough. Into a third set we go!
Jessica Pegula* 5-2 Marketa Vondrousova
Advancing to the net for the 21st time in this match, Jessica Pegula repeatedly cuts off Marketa Vondrousova’s attempts to pass her – or simply return the ball at all – with an assured display of volleying.
Vondrousova wins a point, then plants a shot into the net from Pegula’s backhand slice and cannot return a wide serve. The favourite moves a game from the second set.
Jessica Pegula 4-2 Marketa Vondrousova*
A sliced backhand dropshot to the net from Marketa Vondrousova at 15-30 should be too much for Jessica Pegula, but she scampers in to apply a testing drop shot of her own, which Vondrousova has the foresight to anticipate, lofting a winner beyond Pegula.
That proves crucial, and Vondrousova sees out the game.
Jessica Pegula* 4-1 Marketa Vondrousova
There’s a hint of another break at 15-30 before a more certain serve draws Jessica Pegula level in the game. Marketa Vondrousova does well to fling a forehand at a fierce forehand to the back of the court and return the subsequent shot, but Pegula has the composure to send a delicate volley out of her opponent’s reach as she comes forward.
“It’s a masterclass in how not to panic,” Tracy Austin tells BBC Sport after the fourth seeds secures a 4-1 lead. “Pegula’s got rhythm now.”
Jessica Pegula 3-1 Marketa Vondrousova*
A gift from Marketa Vondrousova, who double faults to give Jessica Pegula a 30-0 lead. Two terrific deep shots, a quick-witted backhand volley as she approaches the net and a fine drop shot then give Pegula three break points.
Vondrousova fires back by clobbering a forehand down the line, almost bringing her to her knees, then claws back another point – but her final shot of the game, from the baseline, goes long to give Pegula the first break of the second set!
Jessica Pegula* 2-1 Marketa Vondrousova
That flurry of first-set breaks seem a fading memory as Jessica Pegula holds with ease – as she needs to, at a set down against a player on a run of three wins against seeds.
Jessica Pegula 1-1 Marketa Vondrousova*
Whatever Jessica Pegula sends over, Marketa Vondrousova seems to be able to fire back with variety. This time it’s another drop shot, followed by a cross-court shot that Pegula can only return against the net.
An unsuccessful line call challenge then sees Vondrousova hold.
Jessica Pegula* 1-0 Marketa Vondrousova
That feels like an important hold for Jessica Pegula, if only to stem the curious unreliability both players have often shown on serve so far.
Marketa Vondrousova hands the momentum to her with a blunder at 30-30, and Pegula then finds a winner to lead. She won the first two games of the first set, mind.
Jessica Pegula 4-6 Marketa Vondrousova* – Vondrousova wins the first set
Well deserved for Marketa Vondrousova, who wins the decisive game to love. Jessica Pegula can only swing fruitlessly at the serve as it belts past her on the line to make it 40-0, then hangs her return long to concede the set.
“There are not a lot of bells and whistles where you think she’s an overpowering player,” says Tracy Austin, speaking to BBC Sport about Vondrousova while admiring her ability to outmanoeuvre Pegula with her shot variety. “So much fun.”
Jessica Pegula* 4-5 Marketa Vondrousova
It would be more surprising by now if we didn’t have break points during a game in this match. Marketa Vondrousova, who again produces a selection of elegant shots to keep Jessica Pegula guessing on her way to 40-40, takes the fourth of her – and now she’ll serve for the set.
Jessica Pegula 4-4 Marketa Vondrousova*
Another break! At 30-30, Jessica Pegula finds a corner again with a fizzing backhand that evades Marketa Vondrousova, who then misfires to bring the scores level again.
Jessica Pegula* 3-4 Marketa Vondrousova
Now Jessica Pegula asserts herself, slapping a forehand return into a corner before producing a delicate drop shot on her way to winning her first game in five. Much needed for the world number four.
Jessica Pegula 2-4 Marketa Vondrousova*
Marketa Vondrousova’s confidence – aside from a shot straight into the net on the second point – is clearly growing as she holds this one with almost as much ease as she broke in the previous game.
She’s within sight of the first set.
Jessica Pegula* 2-3 Marketa Vondrousova
Superb game from Marketa Vondrousova! She wins her third game in a row by breaking to love, the third point proving the finest of the lot as she initiates a tactical battle, mixing up short slices and flat shots to the centre of the court.
“Unbelievable,” two-time US Open winner Tracy Austin tells BBC Sport. “She never gave Pegula the same height or the same speed.”
Jessica Pegula 2-2 Marketa Vondrousova*
There’s a sense that neither player wants to seize the momentum on serve as Marketa Vondrousova larrups a shot well long in the first point of her chance to draw level.
Jessica Pegula’s spinning forehand befuddles her opponent to make it 15-30, but Vondrousova passes Pegula at the net after her opponent does well to reach her drop shot, then takes the game with a powerful serve, Pegula only able to send her return long.
*Jessica Pegula 2-1 Marketa Vondrousova
Jessica Pegula hasn’t quite got her first serve firing yet. An overhit double backhand from the baseline gives Marketa Vondrousova a chance at 30-30, which she takes with a powerful, deep forehand which Pegula can only apply a flailing backhand to.
Vondrousova breaks back! Another excellent rally features several judicious, precise shots from both players – but the last of which, a Pegula forehand, is long again, swinging the momentum back towards the Czech, who shows off several eye-catching tattoos on her arm as she takes her seat.
Jessica Pegula 2-0 Marketa Vondrousova*
Pegula’s near-perfect start lands her the first available break! A terrific forehand, fired perfectly beyond Marketa Vondrousova at her left baseline, gives the American the early advantage.
Jessica Pegula* 1-0 Marketa Vondrousova
If the first exchange of this match is any measure, it’s going to be an absorbing contest. The first point, though, ends with Marketa Vondrousova sending a shot into the net, and Jessica Pegula proceeds to reach 40-0 before dropping a point and seeing out the game in two minutes. Routine enough.
1 p.m GMT/ 8 a.m ET: The players stand beside each other in the tunnel as they prepare to come out, Jessica Pegula with a pair of headphones clamped over their ears.
Now they emerge to a suitably excitable round of applause!
12:45 p.m GMT/ 7:45 a.m ET: Jessica Pegula says reaching the quarterfinals of every grand slam tournament is “pretty cool”. “I hope I can do more than that,” she added.
“Just the last couple of years, to be able to accomplish all of that is pretty crazy. Especially here: I feel like Wimbledon is really special to make the final eight. It was definitely a goal. I’m really happy I get to mark that off.”
Pegula is chasing Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina at the top of the rankings, all of whom are still involved at Wimbledon.
“Everyone knows I’ve been very consistent,” she said. “To go a little bit further is obviously the goal. I would definitely love to crash the ‘big three’ party, if possible.”
12:30 p.m GMT/ 7:30 a.m ET: In beating Lesia Tsurenko in the last 16, Jessica Pegula equalled the fewest number of games she has lost – four – in a match at Wimbledon, last doing so when she played Caroline Garcia in 2021.
Marketa Vondrousova had a slightly trickier time on her way to this stage, losing the first set 6-2 against Marie Bouzkova before winning the final two sets 6-4, 6-3.
12:15 p.m GMT/ 7:15 a.m ET: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ coverage of Jessica Pegula vs Marketa Vondrousova in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon.
Since losing a tie-break midway through her opening match against Lauren Davis, fourth seed Pegula has not dropped a set during three successive wins over unseeded players. Vondrousova, the world number 42, has beaten three seeds, starting with an impressive straight sets victory over 12th-seeded Veronika Kudermetova and proceeding to knock out number 20 Donna Vekic and number 32 Marie Bouzkova.
The prize for the winner will be a clash in the final four with world number one Iga Swiatek or Elina Svitolina, whose quarterfinal is scheduled to begin on Centre Court 30 minutes after this one.
How to watch Jessica Pegula vs Marketa Vondrousova at Wimbledon 2023 in Australia
The 2023 edition of Wimbledon is being broadcast live and free by Nine. The action is being shown on either Channel 9 or their secondary channel 9Gem, depending on the session and time.
Every match of Wimbledon 2023 can be live-streamed in Australia on paid subscription service Stan Sport. Selected matches are available in 4K.
Fans can also stream the action for free via 9Now, which shows the standard free-to-air broadcast.
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How to watch Jessica Pegula vs Marketa Vondrousova at Wimbledon 2023 in USA
Wimbledon matches will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks in the United States. There are several ways to live stream the tournament: ESPN+, the ESPN app, or Fubo, which offers a free trial.
How to watch Jessica Pegula vs Marketa Vondrousova at Wimbledon 2023 in the UK
Wimbledon remains available to watch on free-to-air television in the United Kingdom. Live matches will air on BBC One, BBC Two and the BBC Red Button. Viewers can also choose up to 18 courts to watch through their smart TVs and also on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app.
Wimbledon is also shown on Eurosport to UK viewers. Eurosport will broadcast the Championships every day on Eurosport 1 daily and then via highlights. Coverage will be available on the Discovery + streaming platform and on Eurosport online, too.
