NEW YORK — Jessica Pegula has made a triumphant return to the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament, a stage that once posed a significant challenge for her.
With her impressive performance at this U.S. Open, Pegula seems poised to turn this quarterfinal appearance into another stepping stone towards the championship match.
On Sunday, Pegula surged into the final eight by dominating fellow American Ann Li with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory in a mere 54 minutes. The No. 4 seed has yet to lose a set this year at Flushing Meadows, with only one match stretching beyond 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Pegula previously faced a challenging 0-6 record in Grand Slam quarterfinals but broke that streak last year with a stunning upset over Iga Swiatek, eventually reaching the final where she fell to Aryna Sabalenka.
In her next match, Pegula will take on either two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova or fellow American Taylor Townsend on Tuesday.
Ranked 58th, Li was Pegula’s highest-ranked opponent so far in the tournament, but the 25-year-old couldn’t withstand the pressure in her first round of 16 appearance at a major event. Pegula broke Li’s serve all four times in a swift 25-minute first set, while Li managed only five winners against 19 unforced errors throughout the match.
What else unfolded on Sunday?
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic also took to the court, along with Sabalenka and Taylor Fritz, the only remaining American man and last year’s runner-up.
Who’s set to compete on Monday?
Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka will clash in a thrilling fourth-round showdown, revisiting their memorable encounter from six years ago when Osaka defeated a then-15-year-old Gauff. Wimbledon champions Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek are also set to showcase their skills as the remaining quarterfinal matchups come together.
