Epic final: Jessica Pegula triumphs after fending off five match points

Jessica Pegula is the winner of the ecotrans Ladies Open 2024! The American world number five beat Anna Kalinskaya 6:7, 6:4 and 7:6 in an almost epic final.

It was a match that both players and the completely thrilled spectators in the sold-out Steffi Graf Stadium will not forget in a hurry. A few facts explain that. After Pegula was 3-0 up in the first set, Kalinskaya had to seek treatment for back problems. There was a threat of a premature end. But she came back, still looked a little awkward after the treatment break - but she got better and better. She won the tie-break 7:0. Spectacular! "It was clear to me then that the whole thing would be much tougher than expected," said Pegula.

In the end, Kalinskaya even had five match points in the third set! Pegula fended them all off and saved herself in the tie-break, which she won 7:3. So ended a fantastic final. "No opponent wants to play against you two, not even at Wimbledon," said tournament director Barbara Rittner afterwards, praising the performance of the two opponents. This is Pegula's first title on grass. Kalinskaya can also be more than satisfied with her week in Berlin: she started in 24th place in the world rankings and has now moved up to 17th place, making it into the rankings for the first time.