Jessica Pegula - players.bio

Iga Swiatek extends lead as world No. 1, Paula Badosa up to second

Iga Swiatek extended her lead as world number one on Monday after winning a fourth straight title at the weekend in Stuttgart, while Paula Badosa climbed to second place in the WTA rankings. Poland's Swiatek, who took over at the top from Ashleigh Barty after the Australian retired last month, thrashed Aryna Sabalenka in the final in Stuttgart on Sunday. Spain's Badosa moved to a career-high mark by reaching the semi-finals in Germany before losing to Sabalenka.

Ukrainian tennis players live 'parallel lives' at the Billie Jean King Cup

By Kikue Higuchi, CNN

US thwart Ukraine's rally to reach Billie Jean King Cup finals along with Poland, Czechs

Ukraine came up just short in a thrilling comeback bid on Saturday, falling 3-2 to the United States, who booked their spot in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Trailing 0-2 to start the day, Ukraine had singles wins from Dayana Yastremska and Katarina Zavatska to pull level before Asia Muhammad and Jessica Pegula beat Yastremska and Lyudmyla Kichenok in the decisive doubles match 7-6 (7/5), 6-3. The final match capped an emotional week in Asheville, North Carolina, where Ukrainian players acknowledged it was hard to concentrate on the task at hand amid worry over family and friends at home during the ongoing Russian invasion. "I always like to represent my country but now at this moment it's, well, it's tough to describe it," Yastremska said after her 6-3, 6-4 victory over Pegula. "My heart stays at home, but my mind is here." At least the Ukrainians had moments to celebrate, including 201st-ranked Zavatska's 6-3, 6-4 upset of 46th-ranked Shelby Rogers that leveled the tie at 2-2.

Ukraine comeback falls short as US win Billie Jean King Cup qualifier

(Corrects spelling to Kichenok in eighth and ninth pars)

Alison Riske rewarded in marathon tiebreak at BJK Cup

Alison Riske came out on top of the second-longest tiebreak in Billie Jean King Cup history on Friday, edging Dayana Yastremska 7-6 (18/16), 7-5 as the United States took a 2-0 lead on Ukraine. Riske needed eight set points in the tiebreaker while Yastremska battled back from 5-1 down and had four set points herself before the American pulled off the epic decider in the opening rubber of the tie in Asheville, North Carolina. "It was so bizarre and amazing at the same time," said Riske. Yastremska added: "I was laughing inside and, same time, I wanted to cry. I didn't know when it's going to finish. It was so unpredictable both ways." It was already an emotional week in Asheville, where the US team did all they could to make the Ukrainians -- worried about family and friends at home amid the ongoing Russian invasion -- feel welcome.

Contacts

Jessica Pegula Sport News

Iga Swiatek extends lead as world No. 1, Paula Badosa up to second

Ukrainian tennis players live 'parallel lives' at the Billie Jean King Cup

US thwart Ukraine's rally to reach Billie Jean King Cup finals along with Poland, Czechs

Ukraine comeback falls short as US win Billie Jean King Cup qualifier

Alison Riske rewarded in marathon tiebreak at BJK Cup

Serena Williams reveals Wimbledon comeback plans in social media video

WTA roundup: Local favorite Camila Osorio advances in Bogota

American Anisimova ousts top seed Sabalenka in Charleston