Jessica Pegula praises Serena and Venus Williams for inspiring American tennis players to do something ‘crazy’ recently

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Jessica Pegula continued her Roland Garros campaign after defeating Marketa Vondrousova over three sets.

Pegula lost the first set, but fought back to overcome the former Wimbledon champion 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.

The American came into the French Open in poor form, having crashed out in the early rounds of three consecutive clay-court tournaments.

She has been doubted by many heading into the second major of the year, including 18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert, who wrote Pegula off after the second round.

After booking her place in the round of 16, however, Pegula looks to be back to her best and is the second American woman to advance to the fourth round this year, following Amanda Anisimova.

There’s still a strong US presence in the women’s draw at Roland Garros, which Pegula spoke on after the match.

Jessica Pegula praises Serena and Venus Williams for inspiring Americans

In her post-match press conference, when told there are 15 Americans in the WTA top 100, Pegula said: “It is incredible. I did not know the exact number, but 15 is a crazy number.”

The actual number of American women currently ranked inside the top 100 is 16.

She continued: “We are a big country, and I think we have so much depth, and we have a lot of inspiration from girls like Serena and Venus, who have inspired so many generations of players because they played for so long and are still such icons.

“I mean, I think maybe that is why we a really strong generation for tennis and seeing girls like myself, Madi and Coco do well. I hope we are still inspiring the even younger girls coming up.

“But I think it’s really cool. I love that there is a bunch of us. I think we all push each other and always want the best for one another and want to win and I think we have a really nice camaraderie around us.

“We all know each other. We practice a lot together, especially on the road or hang out and stuff like that. I think that is really nice.

“I think in that sense we are really supportive but also pushing in each in the same sense and I think that is why we have had a lot of success.”

The 16 American women ranked inside the WTA top 100

Four women from the US are ranked inside the top ten: Coco Gauff, Pegula, Madison Keys and Emma Navarro.

At world number 16 is Amanda Anisimova, who will play Aryna Sabalenka in the next round of the French Open.

Ranked 30th, 33rd and 35th are Sofia Kenin, Peyton Stearns and Ashlyn Krueger, respectively.

The other Americans ranked inside the top 100 include the likes of McCartney Kessler, Danielle Collins, and Ann Li.