Jessica Pegula says there’s been a change in the way Chinese fans are treating her at this year’s tournament

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Jessica Pegula has started strongly in Beijing, as she looks to pick up her fourth title of the season.

Receiving a bye into round two as the number-five seed, Pegula played Ajla Tomljanovic in her opener.

Securing the win in straight sets, Pegula dominated Tomljanovic, 6-0, 6-3 on Beijing’s ‘Lotus Court’.

The American received plenty of crowd support as she kicked off her China Open campaign in style.

Speaking after the match, Pegula revealed that she’d noticed a change in the way Chinese fans have treated her this year.

Jessica Pegula has noticed her popularity grow in China recently

During her post-match press conference, Pegula was asked whether she’d noticed her popularity increase in China.

“I’ve definitely noticed it a lot this year. Last year I noticed it, but I don’t know why it feels like more this year,” she said.

“Now I have a nickname. I think they’re so creative with a lot of off-court stuff, doing stuff for the podcast that we started. They’re very creative, I keep saying. Like, they definitely research a lot of things.

“Even though I did feel it last year, this year it feels like it’s a lot more. I’m not sure why. Maybe over the years, gaining fans and stuff like that. Or maybe I’m just embracing it a little bit more.

“It’s been a lot of fun. I definitely can feel a lot more support coming here.”

Pegula is certainly enjoying her time in Beijing, as she gave her verdict on the improvements made to the facilities.

“I feel like the facilities definitely have improved. I think the food has improved. The player areas have definitely improved,” she said.

“I think it’s always nice when you can come back to a place and you feel like maybe your feedback or the player feedback is taken into consideration. They’re trying to make it better for all the players.

“It’s such a big event, not only for just here in China but for us as well, a big WTA 1000. We definitely want to come and play. I think most of us do anyways. But when you can feel like you’re treated better and better every single year, that always is a nice feeling as a player.

“I think there are a lot of things that have already improved. Yeah, I was excited to be able to come back and see those improvements being made and changed. It makes the long two weeks a lot more enjoyable, a lot easier.”

Pegula will hope to stay in Beijing for the full duration of the tournament, but who will she have to beat on her way to the title?

Jessica Pegula’s route to the 2025 China Open title

Beating Tomljanovic in the second round, Pegula will now face a step up in opposition, with Emma Raducanu awaiting her in round three.

• 1R [BYE]
• 2R [WIN] vs Ajla Tomljanovic
• 3R vs Emma Raducanu
• 4R vs Marta Kostyuk
• QF vs Iga Swiatek
• SF vs Mirra Andreeva
• F vs Coco Gauff

Pegula and Raducanu have played each other three times previously, with the American emerging victorious in both of their hard-court encounters.

The 31-year-old will likely be favored to pick up a third win over Raducanu in the third round and could then meet Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in the last 16.

Pegula leads their head-to-head 3-1, but wouldn’t have the same edge over her potential quarterfinal opponent, Iga Swiatek.

The number-one seed has beaten Pegula six times in 11 attempts, in one of the most exciting rivalries on the WTA Tour.

It was, however, Pegula who picked up the win last time out, defeating Swiatek in the final of the Bad Homburg Open on the grass.

If Pegula were to advance past Swiatek in Beijing, she could then meet Mirra Andreeva and Coco Gauff.

She has never played the Russian in a professional match, but has the advantage in the head-to-head with Gauff, 4-2.

Pegula is in with a good chance of making a deep run in Beijing, although she will first focus on the task at hand, which is a third-round match with Raducanu on Monday, September 29.