After a successful title defence in Toronto and a run to the Cincinnati finals, Jessica Pegula is arguably the most in-form player on the WTA Tour.
It wasn’t quite to be in Cincinnati as Jessica Pegula succumbed to the blistering power of Aryna Sabalenka.
Battling everything from the wind, different balls, and an incredibly quick court, Pegula managed to control her matches when others couldn’t.
With the US Open on the immediate horizon, the jury is still largely out on the American number two with her grand slam record one of chronic underachievement.
As new rules and a possible new champion beckon in Flushing, Pegula is also preparing for a change in balls.
Jessica Pegula suggests the tennis balls might bring about some ‘interesting’ findings
A first round match win against compatriot Shelby Rogers would see Pegula face either one of two major winners, with Emma Raducanu or Sofia Kenin preparing for a tantalising opener.
After multiple players complained about the use of different balls for female players during the 2022 US Open, tournament director Stacey Allaster confirmed that all players would be using the same ball during last year’s event.
“People ask me about the balls. I don’t know,” Pegula admitted in her press conference. “I don’t really seem to like any of the balls, that’s what girls tell me. They’re like, yeah, but, Jess, you don’t like any of them. I’m like, yeah, I don’t. I’m the wrong person to ask.
“I know there was a lot of injuries and stuff last year so we switched back. So it will be interesting to see if that gets cut down this year. Other than that, we tried it last year, it didn’t seem like the majority wanted it back, so we switched back.
“I haven’t played with the Regular Duty in my whole life. It doesn’t seem like that much of a change to me,” she admitted rather frankly.
Former US Open winner Daniil Medvedev was full of tennis ball praise in Montreal, despite suffering a rather premature exit.
Can Jessica Pegula break her grand slam curse at this year’s US Open?
While back to back finals in WTA 1000 events in North America would presumably craft Pegula into the hot favorite for US Open glory, especially considering the shaky form from defending champion Coco Gauff, several doubts still remain over her form at the majors.
Multiple quarter-final appearances have never amounted to anything for the 30-year-old with her still yet to see the last four of a grand slam.
Moreover, her US Open form has historically not been particularly good despite being a natural hard court player and having seen the most success on this surface throughout her career.
Out with a whimper last time in Flushing, Pegula’s quest for the elusive major semi-final looks in it sets shape to be completed over the next fortnight – but as ever, don’t count your chickens.
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