Jessica Pegula says what is ‘funny’ about the Wuhan Open after she arrived for the tournament

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Jessica Pegula is back at the Wuhan Open for the first time in five years, having suffered a disappointing early exit in 2019.

Pegula wasn’t happy about her WTA Finals hopes, but the American has completely turned her fortunes around.

She is now sixth in the standings, having won the Canadian Open before losing the Cincinnati Open and US Open finals.

Pegula was proud after reaching her first Grand Slam final, where she lost out to hard-court specialist Aryna Sabalenka.

Difficulties have, however, since followed, with the American world number three losing in the China Open round of 16.

Jessica Pegula makes ‘funny’ claim at the Wuhan Open

But Pegula now wants to bounce back at the Wuhan Open, which she kicks off with a round of 32 tie after receiving a first-round bye.

As per the WTA website, however, she has bad memories of the event, where she lost her 2019 first-round match to world number 52 Polona Hercog.

Then ranked number 76, Pegula noted of her previous Wuhan Open experience: “The last time I was in Wuhan, I think I lost 6-0, 6-1.

“Maybe winning more than one game will be the challenge. Obviously, I’m playing much better than the last time I came to Wuhan.

“I’m trying to redeem myself with a better result than 2019. It’s funny because it was so long ago. It does feel like a new event in a way.”

Can Jessica Pegula bounce back at the Wuhan Open?

Pegula has come on leaps and bounds since then, with the 30-year-old enjoying plenty of lengthy runs across various tournaments.

It has certainly been a roller-coaster season for the US Open finalist, who has been disrupted by a coaching change and a neck injury in 2024.

But having climbed all the way to world number three, her expectations will be high in Wuhan, despite her loss to Paula Badosa in Beijing.

READ MORE: Coco Gauff breaks Open Era record after beating Karolina Muchova in the China Open final

To clinch Wuhan Open success, however, she may need to make it past the likes of the in-form Sabalenka and Coco Gauff.

Sabalenka reached the quarter-finals of the China Open after her US Open title, while Gauff went all the way to lift the trophy in the Chinese capital.