Pegula sees off Shnaider to move into the final of the Washington Open

[p]World number three [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/pegula-jessica/KdojxrAR/"]Pegula[/a], who won her first WTA title in 2019 at Washington, fell behind 5-2 at the start but battled back to reach her fourth final of the year.[/p][p]"It was playing a little bit slow. She's a lefty. It's tricky," said Pegula. "I just kept telling myself it's just one break. Just keep holding.[/p][p][b]"I found a little rhythm on the return, served a little bit smarter and I was able to play some good tennis, kind of take control of the momentum."[/b][/p][image alt="Match stats" id="0f3d65ec-36a6-4d61-8e4f-80a9b109e56e" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="8633b6b6-d4ae-4f67-a597-1c5ce6b2ec79" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/shnaider-diana/028BdVOj/"]Shnaider[/a] grabbed a 5-2 lead at the start but Pegula charged back to capture the next five games and take the first set in 45 minutes.[/p][p]The Russian served for the set in the eighth game but Pegula broke, held at love, then broke again and held for the set when Shnaider sent a forehand wide.[/p][p]In the second set, Pegula broke for a 3-2 lead when Shnaider netted a backhand and took a 5-2 edge with a break on a forehand winner.[/p][p]Shnaider broke in the eighth game but Pegula served for the match again in the 10th game and smashed a forehand winner to advance after 87 minutes with her WTA-best 38th match triumph of the year.[/p][p][b]"It's going to be a battle," [/b]Pegula said of the final against Alexandra Eala. [b]"Alex, I'm a big fan of hers. She's the future of the tour and she's already here."[/b][/p][p]Pegula, a semi-finalist at this year's Australian Open, seeks her 12th career WTA title after hoisting trophies at Dubai and Charleston this season.[/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/tennis/pegula-j-KdojxrAR/shnaider-d-028BdVOj/?mid=hItbhJhB"]Click here for more on the match[/a][/b][/p]