Jessica Pegula defeated Madison Keys in a keenly contested all-American quarter-final clash at the Berlin Open.

There was little to separate the two players in a tense encounter on Friday, but Pegula found a way to win two close tie-breaks and prevail 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (10-8).

Pegula will now face either top seed Aryna Sabalenka or Nikola Bartunkova in the semi-finals of the grass-court WTA 500 event.

Both players were largely strong on serve in the first set, though Keys was able to land the first strike in the fourth game, before going on to build a 4-1 lead.

However, Pegula recovered the break and levelled the match back up at 4-4, and there were no further opportunities for either star as the opener went all the way to a tie-break.

A close breaker followed a similar pattern, with Keys starting more strongly and leading 3-1.

But Pegula fought back by winning four of the next five points to lead 5-4 and then 6-5, before immediately converting her first set-point opportunity with a lethal backhand return. 

Keys attempted to reverse the momentum in the second set, but Pegula was able to stave off two break-point opportunities in the third game, and then went on to secure the first break herself to lead 4-2.

But just as third seed Pegula was on the brink of victory, Keys forced herself into contention again with a spectacular run of nine consecutive points that included a break back.

Pegula was able to compose herself under pressure, saving two break points while serving at 4-4 and ultimately getting over the line in another tie-break.

It was more gruelling than the first breaker, though, with Pegula needing four match points to clinch a dramatic victory after a Keys forehand found the net.

Pegula back on form after French Open setback

Pegula came into this week looking to bounce back from her shock first-round loss to Kimberly Birrell at the French Open.

And she will be pleased with her response in Berlin, with this victory following another straight-sets triumph over Katerina Siniakova.

Pegula was able to win a WTA grass-court title in each of the 2024 and 2025 seasons – the first of which came in Berlin – and is now two wins away from landing another as she finds some timely form ahead of Wimbledon.

Keys put up an impressive fight and fired down 10 aces, but she has now lost her last two meetings with compatriot Pegula, paying the price for converting just two of her seven break-point chances in this one.

Each of those losses came in straight sets, having also fallen to defeat against Pegula at the Australian Open earlier this year.

Keys lost this match despite winning more points overall, as she won 86 compared to 83 for Pegula, who was able to deliver at the most important moments.