Jessica Pegula leans on humor and a Honey Deuce, while Naomi Osaka insists she isn’t ‘sad’: How the US Open semifinalists are handling defeat.
Jessica Pegula and Naomi Osaka wrapped up impressive US Open runs with semifinal exits. Pegula coped with the loss by poking fun at herself while holding the tournament’s signature Honey Deuce drink, while Osaka reassured fans she remained upbeat despite the setback.
Pegula, owner of nine WTA singles and seven doubles titles, advanced to the semis with wins over former World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, Anna Blinkova, and Barbora Krejcikova, before falling to the current World No. 1 in three sets, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. On X, she showcased her trademark dry humor alongside the Honey Deuce.
Osaka, meanwhile, battled past World No. 3 Coco Gauff, former World No. 8 Daria Kasatkina, and Hailey Baptiste en route to the semifinal, where she lost a tight three-set match to World No. 9 Amanda Anisimova, 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-3. On Threads, she stressed that she wasn’t downhearted by the result, noting she remains positive moving forward.
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