‘If It Gets Drastically Worse, I’ll Stop’ – Jessica Pegula Addresses Rare MTO After Cincinnati Open Quarterfinal Escape

Jessica Pegula stood up to Amanda Anisimova’s challenge in the quarterfinal of the 2026 Cincinnati Open. The top-ranked American escaped defeat in what was a win of narrow margins, decided in the final set tiebreak.

Pegula also took a rare medical timeout (MTO) during the contest, raising concerns about her fitness ahead of the US Open. She addressed the issue after the match, explaining the thought process behind her decision-making while dealing with the physical setback.

Jessica Pegula Beats Amanda Anisimova at the Cincinnati Open Despite Physical Discomfort

Pegula, the 2024 finalist, advanced to her second Cincinnati Open semifinal following victories against Simona Waltert, Emma Navarro, Sorana Cîrstea, and Anisimova.

She extended her head-to-head record against Anisimova to 6-0 following the 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(4) win on Thursday, August 20. Despite winning the opening set and holding the upper hand in their rivalry, Pegula found herself on the back foot after experiencing abdominal discomfort in the second set.

Her opponent quickly raced to a 3-0 lead, prompting Pegula to call for medical assistance. She was escorted off the court for a medical timeout but was broken again upon her return. Reflecting on the situation after the match, she said on the Tennis Channel, “I never called for the physio like ever. It’s maybe the third time in my life that I’ve actually called for a physio and taken a medical and gone off court.”

“Definitely something happened in the beginning of the second, and it just threw me off a little bit. I think she did a really good job of taking advantage of that and really stepping in and imposing herself on me. But from the ground I felt fine. A little bit on the serve.”

Pegula, who is targeting a peak at the US Open, admitted that thoughts of the Grand Slam factored into her decision-making as she dealt with the physical issue. “Obviously, you’re thinking long term towards the (US) Open, but I felt like I was still playing good enough to win the match.”

After the second set slipped away 6-2, she contemplated retiring should the discomfort become more severe. “I just told myself if it gets drastically worse, of course I’ll probably stop. I’m not going to try and make anything worse. But let’s see if I can really pick up my level here the first couple games and see if I can get on top of her and make this a match again. And luckily, I was able to do that.”

Pegula secured two early breaks to race into a 3-0 lead in the deciding set, only to surrender one immediately. Anisimova then broke her again while she was serving for the match, leveling the score at 5-5. The contest was ultimately decided at 4-4 in the tiebreak, when Anisimova sent her forehand narrowly long, handing Pegula the crucial advantage.

“I just went after my serve and told myself, ‘All right, I’m not going to win this match by rolling my serve in. Definitely not.’ So I needed to go out there and hit my serve. And it didn’t get worse. It only got better. So, I felt, ‘Okay, I’m in this match. I’m going to try to win this match now.’”

MORE: ‘I Was Feeling Anxious’ – Iga Świątek, Alarmed by Elena Rybakina’s Exit, Calls Cincinnati Retirement ‘A Shame’

Jessica Pegula now faces a stern test against defending champion Iga Świątek in the semifinals. Following Elena Rybakina’s retirement against the Pole, Pegula, the World No. 3, has a slim chance of rising to the top of the rankings if she wins both the Cincinnati Open and the US Open.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.