BAD HOMBURG, Germany — In a stunning display of skill, World No. 3 Jessica Pegula claimed victory over Iga Swiatek with a score of 6-4, 7-5 at the grass-court Bad Homburg Open. This win marks Swiatek’s continued title drought, which has stretched over a year. Pegula’s triumph in Germany adds to her burgeoning 2025 achievements, having previously secured titles in Austin, Texas, and Charleston, South Carolina. This recent win is the ninth career title for the American tennis player.
The highly anticipated match was their 11th career face-off but their first encounter on grass. Pegula emerged victorious for the fifth time in their rivalry. The win echoes her quarterfinal success against Swiatek at last year’s U.S. Open, where Pegula went on to become the runner-up. Despite Swiatek serving nine aces during the final, she was unable to maintain her serve on two occasions. Pegula showcased her resilience by saving the only break point she encountered.
Swiatek, currently ranked as World No. 8, was unable to secure her first trophy since claiming the championship at the French Open in 2024, which would have been her 23rd overall. Nonetheless, she remained optimistic, expressing satisfaction with her performance. “This tournament shows there is hope for me on grass,” she noted. “I’m happy we can play here and I’m happy I could prove that.” Despite a storied career including four French Open titles and a U.S. Open win, Swiatek has never progressed beyond the Wimbledon quarterfinals.
Pegula, like Swiatek, has similarly never advanced past the last eight at Wimbledon, where the competition is set to commence on Monday in London.
In other tennis news from Saturday, 19-year-old Australian sensation Maya Joint achieved a remarkable victory at the Eastbourne Open. Facing Filipino qualifier Alexandra Eala, Joint saved four match points to eventually emerge victorious with a score of 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (10).