Madrid Open: Jessica Pegula continues stunning rise with shot at world top 10

Jessica Pegula will feature in the biggest final of her tennis career on Saturday when she challenges Ons Jabeur for the Madrid Open title.

The US star, who is the number 12 seed in the tournament, has reached just three other finals before now, but this will be the first time she will play in the last round of a WTA 1000 event.

If she is victorious against her Tunisian opponent on Saturday, Pegula will break into the world top ten for the first time.

The 28-year-old has steadily climbed the WTA rankings over the last 18 months.

She was 63rd in the world in January 2021 but reached 18th by the end of the year, having progressed to a number of quarter and semi-finals. Victories came against the likes of Elina Svitolina, Naomi Osaka, and Aryna Sabalenka.

Pegula enjoyed a strong run in the Australian Open earlier this year, reaching the quarter-final where she was knocked out by eventual champion Ashleigh Barty. She also made it to the semi-final of the Miami Open, losing out to world number one Iga Swiatek.

Now, ranked 14th in the world, Pegula is pushing for her next career high. If she can chalk up one final win at the Madrid Open, she will reach the WTA top ten for the first time and secure the biggest win of her career yet.

Pegula has just one singles career title to her name so far. In 2019, she beat Camila Giorgi to win the Washington Open, a WTA 250 event. She has been chasing her second title since, and Saturday could be her chance to add another trophy to her cabinet.

Pegula faced former rival Giorgi in her first match at the Madrid Open, working hard to beat the Italian 7-5, 2-6, 7-5.

She followed up with straight sets wins over Kaia Kanepi, Bianca Andreescu, and Sara Sorribes Tormo before defeating