Jessica Pegula admits what she didn’t do ‘very well’ despite winning her US Open first round match

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Jessica Pegula has stormed into the second round of the US Open after winning her opener against Mayar Sherif.

Pegula thinks fans should be allowed to enter and exit at all times during Grand Slams, an opinion she voiced ahead of another run at the US Open.

American star Pegula, who is the fourth seed at her home Grand Slam, reached the final of the US Open in 2024.

She lost 7-5, 7-5 to Aryna Sabalenka, but has returned to winning ways in New York after defeating Sherif 6-0, 6-4.

The WTA Tour number four now plays Anna Blinkova in the second round of the hard-court tournament at Flushing Meadows.

Jessica Pegula admits what she didn’t do well despite US Open first round win

Before turning her focus to round two, however, Pegula analysed her opening match on court, having been asked what she was happiest with and what she would like to improve.

She replied: “I was really happy that I started off really quick. I think coming out second night match, waiting all day, opening day is nerve-wracking. So I’m glad I came out really fast and gave myself a nice cushion I guess you could say.

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“But then it flipped really quickly, and I didn’t think I was serving very well. I wasn’t making enough first serves. And I felt like I could get back in the second.

“I just needed to focus on my serve, and I was getting close to breaking her a lot, so I’m glad I was able to turn it around and get it done in straights.”

Jessica Pegula responds when asked how much confidence she’s taken from 2024 US Open final

Pegula hit one ace and three double faults in the match, registering a 58.9% first serve total, while she won 78.8% of her first serve points and 34.8% of her second serve points.

The American was also tasked with looking back on that near miss this time last year, when she reached her maiden Grand Slam final.

Asked how much confidence that superb run has given her for 2025, she responded: “I don’t know. I had a lot of confidence, but tennis is funny, like, you have a couple of bad results and it’s tough.

“You start all over again. It’s always a new week, which makes it great but also makes it tough when you’re winning, because if you lose for a few weeks, it feels like you don’t really get to celebrate, the good weeks and the good tournaments that you’ve had.

“It definitely gave me a lot of confidence that I know what I have to do to get there, but executing it is another thing, so I’m going to try to do that the best I can this week.”

She is one of several home players looking to shine in New York, with American women having really impressed on the WTA Tour this season.

Pegula is joined in the WTA top 10 by Coco Gauff, Madison Keys and Amanda Anisimova, with that trio having all reached Grand Slam finals this season.

Anisimova lost to Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon, but Keys and Gauff both defeated Sabalenka at the Australian Open and French Open respectively.

Asked how motivating it is to be a part of that group of players, Pegula said: “Oh I love it. I love it so much.

“A lot of the American girls, we’re all pretty close, and I think we’re always motivating and pushing each other.

“We’re on all completely different journeys, different ages, and just it’s really cool to be a part of that, to be a part of that really strong group of women. And I think it makes it more fun.

“I think it takes pressure off of us, and it helps I think that we all get along really well, and we’re always pushing each other.”