Korean American Jessica Pegula has advanced to the round of 16 in the women’s singles competition at the U.S. Open.
The 29-year-old tennis player is the no. 3 seed at the tournament. On Saturday, September 2, she faced no. 26 Elina Svitolina in the third round. Pegula won the first set 6-4 but the Ukrainian Svitolina took the next set. It is the first time Pegula has dropped a set this tournament.
Pegula won the third set 6-2, securing her place in the round of 16. During her on-court interview after the match, she acknowledged what a tough competitor Svitolina is.
“I knew no matter what, she wasn’t gonna go away. I feel like every time I play her, it’s so close. And it’s just a couple of breaks here and there, but she’s been playing amazing. I knew she was gonna be really, really, really tough,” Pegula said.
Pegula, having grown up in Buffalo, New York, is a favorite amongst many in the stands. She’ll face fellow American Madison Keys next.
“We’ve been in like the same sort of section, every single tournament like the last three or four tournaments. And we’re like, ‘I think the world just wants us to play,'” Pegula said in her on-court interview. “So, I’m glad that we get to put on a show for you guys.”
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