Jessica Pegula shows she will be on big stage again

Jessica Pegula’s U.S.Open is over, ended by Aryna Sabalenka.

But the American heiress’ climb up the rungs of the tennis world is very much alive.No, Pegula didn’t have the raw force to match Sabalenka’s howitzer of a forehand, or enough weaponry to win Saturday’s final in Flushing Meadows.The world’s second-ranked player hit 40 aces and overpowered her in one or two key moments to edge out a 7-5, 7-5 win.What Pegula has shown is the determination to improve, and the willingness to work.

A 30-year-old late bloomer who had never reached a Grand Slam semifinal before this week, Pegula will finish the U.S.Open as a finalist, the third-ranked player in the world, and living proof that sweat equity goes a long way.“My movement and my serve has gotten a little bit better.

So there are certain parts that maybe are a little bit more consistent than they used to be,” Pegula said.“As far as a baseline, [my serve] is not as much up and down throughout the weeks and through matches.

I’d say the same for my movement.“The ball, am I seeing it like a watermelon every single day? Not quite.But I think with those other things, maybe that’s why it may seem like I’m playing my best tennis.”For the first time in her career, Pegula has shown that her best can contend for a Slam.“I’m more than sure one day you’re going to get one,” Sabalenka said during the trophy ceremony, adding “Maybe more.

But start with one.”And that’s the thing.Pegula, who admitted she’s fought through periods where she questioned whether she even wanted to play, is now not only playing but still getting better at the age when some are hanging it up.World No.

1 Iga Swiatek — who Pegula drilled 6-2, 6-4 in the quarterfinals — is just 23, as is fellow American semifinalist Emma Navarro.And Pegula’s doubles partner Coco Gauff — who won last year in Flushing — is the epitome of a phenom, still just 20.But Pegula is 30, roughly the same age that saw Danielle Col...