US Open: Jessica Pegula sips beer in press conference to 'ease the loss'

American tennis star Jessica Pegula brought a beer to her press conference after a quarter-final loss at the US Open.

The 28-year-old was defeated by world number one Iga Świątek 6-3, 7-6 in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

It was Pegula’s third loss in a Grand Slam quarter-final this season. She was beaten at the same stage by Świątek at the French Open, and Ashleigh Barty at the Australian Open.

The world number eight was understandably devastated after her exit, but she surprised reporters by bringing a can of Heineken with her to the press room.

“I’m trying to pee for doping,” she explained, before adding: “Although it does help ease the loss.”

“I’m a little deflated right now. “I’m not real happy.”

.@darcymaine_espn "I like the Heineken"J Pegula: "Thanks, I'm trying to pee for doping, so… Although it does help ease the loss " pic.twitter.com/jeQ905sRvK

The result left Frances Tiafoe as the last American star competing in the US Open, with the 24-year-old set to take on Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s semi-final tomorrow.

“He’s the last American standing,” Pegula said. “So proud of him. The way he’s taking care of business has been really impressive. He’s super hyped up and ecstatic; such a good story on him.

“I just wish I could join him or Coco [Gauff] could join him. It’s been fun to have that feeling of everyone behind us as Americans in the second week of the US Open. It’s been really special.”

Świątek, who booked a place in the US Open semi-finals for the first time, will play Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka in the final four.

“I wasn’t expecting that at the beginning of the tournament,” said Świątek. “Trying to keep my expectations low.

“I’m super proud of myself. My goal, basically, is to be consistent. I remember when I was an