US Open: Jess Pegula frustrated after missing third major semifinal

Jessica Pegula has appeared in three major quarterfinals this year but has lost all three. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Jessica Pegula played in her third Grand Slam quarterfinal match of the year Wednesday, but the top-ranked American found herself on the losing side yet again.

After a straight-set loss to world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), Pegula described the frustration of yet another major tournament run ending in the quarterfinals. The 28-year-old opened the year with two straight Grand Slam quarterfinal trips at the Australian and French Opens before losing in the third round at Wimbledon.

“I go back and forth,” she said. “I’m like, ‘Oh, I should be positive.’ But at the same time, I’m like, ‘F–k, three quarterfinals,’ sorry, but it just sucks. It sucks. I wish I could’ve done it here at my home slam but I guess not.

“I wish I didn’t have to play Iga [Swiatek] every quarterfinal or Ash Barty, which seem to be the people that don’t really lose often,” she continued.

Pegula and Swiatek faced off in the French Open quarterfinals, with world No. 1 Swiatek winning that match and eventually the tournament. Her loss in the Australian Open came against then-world No. 1 Ash Barty, who won her home tournament and then retired.

Pegula answered questions while sipping a Heineken, which she explained was meant to help with “trying to pee for doping.”

“Although it does help ease the loss,” she added.