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Jessica Pegula, the American tennis sensation currently ranked third worldwide, made headlines with her recent victory over the top-ranked Iga Swiatek at the Canadian Open semi-finals. While Pegula has been known to celebrate significant achievements with a cold beer – a gesture that previously went viral on social media – this time around, she has opted to delay her beer celebrations in hopes of clinching her first title of the season on Sunday.
Commenting on her decision, Pegula said during a press conference, "Maybe I'll allow myself to have a beer after the tournament." She further added in a jesting tone, "I get so many people that are like, 'I loved when you drank the beer last year'."
Beyond the highly competitive gameplay, the semi-final match witnessed a comical hiccup when the song "Cotton-Eye Joe" started playing unexpectedly in the middle of a tense rally during the second set's tiebreak. The unplanned soundtrack caused a brief disruption in Pegula's concentration. Yet, showcasing resilience and unparalleled composure, she went on to secure a hard-fought win with a scoreline of 6-2, 6-7(4), 6-4. This marks her second victory over Swiatek in their three encounters this year.
Commenting on the unexpected musical interruption, a bemused Pegula shared, "I've never had that happen let alone with 'Cotton-Eye Joe'. I was like 'is this really happening right now?' Of all the songs."
Despite the mid-match distraction, Pegula's determination saw her through, solidifying her spot in the Montreal final. This incident underlines that elite tournaments, known for their high-stakes matches, can also be peppered with unforeseen and light-hearted moments. Ultimately, it's a player's ability to maneuver through such interruptions and retain focus that often defines their path to victory. The tennis community now eagerly awaits the Canadian Open's conclusion, with many curious to see if Pegula's post-tournament celebrations will include the much-talked-about beer.
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