Jessica Pegula Advances After Thrilling Comeback in US Open
Jessica Pegula displayed remarkable resilience on Friday, overcoming a rocky start to defeat Leylah Fernandez 1-6, 6-4, 6-3. This hard-fought victory secures her a spot in the fourth round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows. Meanwhile, Jasmine Paolini’s journey in the tournament came to an end as Sorana Cirstea continued her impressive run.
Initially, Pegula struggled to find her rhythm as Fernandez took charge of the match, dominating the first set. However, Pegula regrouped and began to fight back as the match progressed. Her next challenge will be against Cirstea in the last 16, where she’ll need to address the vulnerabilities revealed during that opening set.
Returning to Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time since reaching the finals in 2021, Fernandez made her presence felt immediately. The 23-year-old Canadian showcased her strong left-handed forehand and aggressive play, putting Pegula on the defensive with her varied shots.
After finishing as a runner-up in the 2024 US Open, Pegula found it hard to get settled as Fernandez raced through the first set in just half an hour. However, momentum shifted in the second set. Pegula broke serve in the sixth game and delivered a solid service game to fortify her lead. Despite Fernandez’s best efforts to reclaim control, Pegula successfully forced a deciding set.
In the third set, Pegula demonstrated the composure that has made her a strong contender this year. After surviving some break points early on, she seized the opportunity to pull ahead 3-1 when Fernandez hit a shot wide. From then on, Pegula maintained control, finishing the match with a stunning backhand volley.
Cirstea Surprises with Strong Performance Against Paolini
Sorana Cirstea also made headlines by defeating Jasmine Paolini decisively with a score of 6-3, 6-2. This victory marks Cirstea’s first time in the last 16 at the US Open in three years, especially notable since she had lost to Paolini in their last three encounters.
At 36, Cirstea has hinted that this could be her final season on tour, and she is currently enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 17. She made headlines earlier this year when she became the oldest player to debut in the top 20 of the WTA rankings.
Cirstea’s notable 2026 season includes a title win in Cluj-Napoca, where she triumphed over Emma Raducanu in the final, becoming the oldest player to win a WTA title this season. Her run in New York includes straight-set victories against Diane Parry and Julia Grabher before this latest win.
For Paolini, this defeat marked a challenging return to the US Open. The 19th seed, who recently recuperated from a foot injury sustained after her quarter-final appearance at Wimbledon, had to push through three sets in her opening match against Veronika Erjavec. Unfortunately, she now has a record of 0-3 against top-20 opponents this year.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Pegula and Cirstea as they continue their quest for success.
