Jessica Pegula continues to fly high at the US Open, with the 2024 finalist now into the quarterfinals once more.
Pegula is the fourth seed at the US Open, and went all the way to last year’s final before losing to Aryna Sabalenka.
But she has now recovered from that loss in New York in superb fashion, with the American yet to drop a set this year.
The WTA Tour number four beat Mayar Sherif 6-0, 6-4 in round one and Anna Blinkova 6-1, 6-3 in round two.
A 6-1, 7-5 victory over Victoria Azarenka followed, before Pegula defeated fellow American Li 6-1, 6-2 in the round of 16.
What happened when Jessica Pegula practiced with Aryna Sabalenka at the US Open
Speaking on court after the win, Pegula revealed she’s been working on her net game, before sharing further practice insight in her post-match press conference.
She said: “I felt terrible coming into this tournament honestly. I had a practice Wednesday and I hit with Sabalenka. She just killed me.
“I was playing terrible and then we went out for like a second hour and I stopped halfway through the hour and was like I’m done, this isn’t good. Like I don’t know why I’m out here practicing.
“It was hard because that was the day after the mixed finished so we were switching to different balls and I was a little frustrated.
“It was like the day was really cold and windy and I was like yeah I’m just done for today. And so I kind of walked off the court not very happy.
“Went and did an escape room with my friends and had two drinks and was like I need to just chill and stop getting so frustrated and like overthinking all these practices.
“But no, I mean I played well in the mixed, so I think that helped. And then besides that bad day, I hadn’t really been playing some good tennis and I didn’t even feel like I was practicing very well for the last few weeks.
“And it’s been really tough. So it’s from compared to last year, it’s been a complete 180 with how I felt. But after, I think working my way into these matches and having some good convincing wins, I mean, that’s always going to give myself some confidence.
“So, I’m just really happy that today I felt a lot more like myself on court, which I think was the most important.”
Jessica Pegula shares how she’s feeling on court after reaching US Open quarterfinals
Pegula did indeed impress in the US Open mixed doubles, where she reached the semifinals alongside Jack Draper.
But she did enter the Grand Slam on a disappointing run, losing early at Wimbledon, Washington, Montreal and Cincinnati.
However, she boasts a superb three WTA titles this season so far, triumphing at Bad Homburg, Charleston and Austin.
Despite those victories, Pegula explained: “I’m just happy that I’m here. Like I said, I haven’t been feeling my best on court.
“So, to be able to come back and make another quarterfinal here is something I’m definitely proud of. And of course, I want to go further and do more and win the tournament.
“But I feel like just on like a personal kind of goal level I’m happy with the way I’ve been able to kind of turn some of my tennis around the last few weeks and I feel like playing my way into this tournament and then being able to play one of my better matches in a fourth round is a great thing to happen.”
The home favourite needed just 54 minutes to get past Li, and has now reached her eighth Grand Slam quarterfinal of the decade.
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