Pegula Passes U.S. Open First Round Test

American Jessica Pegula powered her way into the U.S. Open second round as she knocked off Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania 6-3, 6-2 in the first singles match of the tournament inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday. 

Pegula, the third-ranked player in the world, hammered away at Ruse’s serve from the early moments of the first set. At 1-1, Ruse would save several break chances in a 15 minute game to hold and move ahead 2-1. Pegula would secure the key break in the set, her 10th break chance of the set, to take a 3-2 advantage. 

A few games later, she had the opening set in more than 50 minutes.

“She did a great job of moving around her second serves, so even though I’m a pretty aggressive second-serve returner, she was doing a really good job of hitting it deep and kind of jamming me, and I didn’t really get a few double faults until later on in that second set,” said Pegula. “I think I still returned okay, but as an aggressive returner, sometimes when they are going with more speed at you, it kind of takes away that option a little bit.”

While Pegula found it tough to win those break points, she was nearly flawless on serve. Pegula won 23 of 25 points on her first serve and saved the only break point she faced throughout the one hour and 23 minute match. 

“A lot of nerves today,” said Pegula. “I feel there’s a ton of nerves. Everybody’s freaking out for the next three days, but I’m glad that it’s over with, it’s done with now.”

Pegula now has a couple of days off before her second round showdown with another American, former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin. 

On Sunday night, Kenin defeated two-time U.S. Open champion Venus Williams 6-2, 7-6(6) in the second match on Ashe’s Night Session in a contest that ended at 2:01 a.m. EST on Monday morning. 

Other winners on the women’s side on Sunday included a pair of Ukrainians, ninth-seed Elina Svitolina and 11th seed Marta Kostyuk, as well as 19th seeded Italian Jasmine Paolini. Two-time major champion, 27th seed Barbora Krejcikova, was upset by Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova in straight sets.