Jessica Pegula triumphs over Karolina Muchova to reach her first US Open final.

Jessica Pegula's journey to her first Grand Slam final was challenging.

On Thursday in the U.S. Open semifinal, Karolína Muchová dominated the 30-year-old in the first set.

In the first set, Muchova won 6-1, taking 30 out of 44 points, and was responsible for 10 of the first 12 winners in the match. The set lasted only 28 minutes.

Pegula, playing in her first Grand Slam semifinal, was rattled.

"Although I underperformed, she played exceptionally well. She made me feel like a novice," Pegula admitted. "I was on the verge of tears because it was humiliating. She was tearing me apart."

Pegula had found some life after the beginning of the second set was not very different from the first. Muchova was a single point away from a commanding 3-0 lead but could not convert break point.

Pegula won nine of 11 games, taking the second set 6-4 and then starting out the third set 3-0.

Pegula found a way to find adrenaline and confidence, and by the end of the second set, she started playing like she wanted to in the third set. It took some time.

"I don’t know how I turned that around."

Muchova's cool-off played a part in her turnaround.

In the first set, she made seven unforced errors; in the rest of the match, she made 33.

Pegula reversed the narrative against Muchova, winning 1-6, 6-4, 6-2, and securing her first Grand Slam title opportunity.

In the U.S. Open women's final, Pegula's opponent is Aryna Sabalenka, a player with whom she is acquainted.

In the hard-court Cincinnati Open in August, Pegula was defeated by Sabalenka, marking her only loss in her last 16 matches.

"Pegula stated, "I hope to obtain revenge out here.""

On Saturday at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Sabalenka will face Pegula in a quest for revenge.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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