Jessica Pegula has been performing incredibly on the WTA Tour for months now.
Starting at the 2025 US Open, Pegula has made the quarterfinals or better at eight straight events, and in seven of those, she has advanced to at least the semifinals.
During that run, the American reached the final of the Wuhan Open, and clinched the title at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
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Her consistency on the biggest stages has been fantastic, and at 32, she appears to be getting better with age.
Analysing her level since August, US star Danielle Collins and retired player Jimmy Arias pinpointed what exactly she has improved.
Danielle Collins and Jimmy Arias discuss Jessica Pegula’s level
Discussing what Pegula has improved on Tennis Channel, Collins said: “I think just getting more consistent, being able to push through those quarterfinals, semifinals, and make it to the very end of some of these events, and then lifting up the trophy at the end of the events.
“So last year she made the finals here. This is a place where she plays incredible tennis at. This is her home tournament.
“She thrives in these hot, humid conditions. I think she has a chance of going all the way and winning this tournament.
Arias added: “The biggest thing that she’s improved, in my mind, is her serve. Her serve was the one shot that wasn’t quite at the level of the very top players.
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“It’s still not Sabalenka and Rybakina, but she’s hitting her spots a little bit better with that serve. She always needed first serves, or she was going to be in a little bit of trouble.
“I’m sure, Danielle, if you played her and you got second serves, you knew that was the best opportunity in the rally, because the rest of her shots are deep and fast and penetrating.”
Danielle Collins explains why Jessica Pegula is so hard to beat
Asked what makes Pegula so difficult to beat, Collins said: “Oh, the consistency and just her ability to play relentless tennis.
“When things are going her way, it’s hard to stop her. Her precision, being able to hit the corners of the court, and then being able to just be so tough in those tough moments and high-pressure situations. Yeah, it’s just like her all-around game is really challenging.
“I will say it is challenging when you’re playing someone like that and you’re not able to get a read off of where they’re going to hit the ball.
“She disguises her shots incredibly well, but then you play someone, and you’re in a tough moment at four all or 5-4, and you’re trying to play a guessing game. It’s hard.”
Collins has faced Pegula six times before on the WTA Tour, but has never beaten her compatriot.
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