The 4 Grand Slam champions Jessica Pegula beat to win Guadalajara Open

Jessica Pegula claimed her first WTA 1000 title this week after a stunning run at the Guadalajara Open.

The US star brushed aside Greece’s Maria Sakkari in a dominant 6-2, 6-3 final showdown in Mexico.

Pegula, who has been making waves with doubles partner Coco Gauff, won just her second professional career title and first since the Citi Open in 2019.

The 28-year-old captured the silverware after dropping just one set throughout the entire tournament. She also beat four Grand Slam champions to make it to the final.

Here's a look at Pegula's impressive Guadalajara Open display and how she overcame four world-beaters on the bounce.

Who did Jessica Pegula beat to win the Guadalajara Open?

Elena Rybakina

Pegula got her run in Mexico off to a strong start after fighting across three sets to defeat Elena Rybakina.

The reigning Wimbledon champion won the first set but fell to an inspired Pegula comeback as she progressed into the next round.

A thrilling 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 battle set the eventual champion up for an impressive Guadalajara campaign.

Rybakina defeated Pegula's doubles partner Coco Gauff in the final at the All England Club this summer to earn her first Grand Slam title.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 09: Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan celebrates with the trophy after victory against Ons Jabeur of Tunisia during the Ladies' Singles Final match on day thirteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2022 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 09, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Bianca Andreescu

After a tough opening round against the winner of Wimbledon 2022, Pegula faced the 2019 US Open champion.

Bianca Andreescu is the highest ranked Canadian player in the history of the WTA. She beat Serena Williams at Flushing Meadows to become the first player from Canada to win a major singles title.

But despite her impressive pedigree, Pegula cruised to a 6-4, 6-4 win over Andreescu to reach the quarter-final, where she faced another former US Open winner.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Bianca Andreescu of Canada celebrates with the championship trophy during the trophy presentation ceremony after winning the Women's Singles final against Serena Williams of the United States on day thirteen of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 07, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Sloane Stephens

USA's Sloane Stephens won her first Grand Slam title on home soil in 2017 when she was crowned champion at Flushing Meadows.

The 29-year-old beat Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic to reach the quarter-final but was soon sent packing by Pegula.

The world number three made light work of beating Stephens, enjoying a 6-2, 6-2 win to book her place in the semis.

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 09: Sloane Stephens of the United States poses with the championship trophy during the trophy presentation after defeating Madison Keys of the United States in the Women's Singles final match on Day Thirteen during the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 9, 2017 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images for USTA)

Victoria Azarenka

With just one hurdle to go before the final, Pegula came up against two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka.

The former world number one claimed back-to-back titles in Melbourne, beating Maria Sharapova and Li Na in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

Azarenka put up a good fight in the first set but Pegula utterly dominated in the second to bag a 7-6, 6-1 win.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 26: Victoria Azarenka of Belarus poses with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after winning her women's final match against Na Li of Chinaduring day thirteen of the 2013 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 26, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

After defeating these Grand Slam heavyweights, Pegula went on to topple Sakkari and add the WTA 1000 title to her two doubles trophies with Gauff this year.

Thanks to her victory at the Guadalajara Open, the American has reached a new career high of third in the WTA rankings.

Quiz: How well do you remember the 2022 Grand Slam calendar?

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