NEW YORK – Third-ranked Jessica Pegula overcame an initial bout of nerves to secure a commanding victory in her opening match at the U.S. Open on Sunday, defeating Elena-Gabriela Ruse in straight sets.
Competing on the prestigious Arthur Ashe Stadium court, Pegula, 32, struggled early on, missing her first nine break points against Ruse. However, she quickly found her rhythm, showcasing her impressive skills. After a recent runner-up finish at the Cincinnati Open, where she lost to Coco Gauff, Pegula dominated the match, winning 92% of her first-serve points, ultimately claiming a 6-3, 6-2 victory in just 83 minutes.
Recommended Videos
“I was so nervous,” Pegula admitted after the match. “I was like sending GIFs of what I felt like. It was GIFs of people freaking out and stuff. … The first round of a slam, there’s always a ton of nerves.” Her candidness about the psychological pressures of high-stakes competitions resonates with many athletes and fans alike.
Looking ahead, Pegula is set to face the winner of the match between tennis legends Venus Williams and fellow wild card Sofia Kenin, who are scheduled to compete later that evening at Ashe. Additionally, the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, are slated to play doubles together, adding to the excitement of the tournament.
In other news from the women’s singles, nineteenth-seeded Jasmine Paolini advanced by defeating Veronika Erjavec with a score of 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, while Kamilla Rakhimova pulled off a notable upset against No. 27 seed Barbora Krejcikova, winning 7-6 (4), 6-2.
On the men’s side, Daniil Medvedev was set to take the court against Hugo Gaston later that day. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic, aiming for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title, began his campaign against Mariano Navone that evening. Notably, Djokovic faced a challenging moment earlier this month, where he lost his opening match at the Cincinnati Open.
___
See AP’s full tennis coverage here
