WHAT HAPPENED: American Jessica Pegula is through to the quarterfinals for the second time in three years, thanks to a 6-4, 6-2 win over Diana Shnaider on Labor Day Monday in Arthur Ashe Stadium at the 2024 US Open. Pegula had defeated the former North Carolina State star in their only previous encounter last month en route to defending her WTA 1000 title in Toronto.
The sixth seed has now won 13 of her last 14 matches, her lone loss during that stretch coming against Aryna Sabalenka in the Cincinnati Open final.
“I feel like there’s been more pressure this year because I did so well coming into this tournament,” said Pegula, who has yet to drop a set through four rounds. “To be able to still be here winning, I feel like today might be the best off the ground that I’ve felt. I want to keep working my way and, hopefully, bring my best tennis for the later rounds. There's always a lot of pressure here, but it’s fun. I like it. It’s always nice being an American here and getting all the support.”
The daughter of a former boxer, Shnaider pulled no punches from the baseline, going toe-to-toe with Pegula, flashing both first-strike power and versatility. But the 20-year-old, the youngest player remaining in the women’s draw, could not withstand the pressure on her serve. Pegula would convert five of her 10 break-point opportunities in the one-hour, 27-minute contest.
Shnaider herself was enjoying a memorable summer that saw her capture a WTA 500 title on grass in Bad Homburg and a WTA 250 title on clay in Budapest, and take the silver medal in doubles at the Paris Olympics with countrywoman Mirra Andreeva. Along the way, the lefthander collected wins over high-caliber players like Emma Navarro and Coco Gauff, and rose from No. 108 in the WTA rankings to a career-high No. 18.
“I feel like I’m moving so much better around the court,” Pegula said. “I’m able to get pulled off the court, but still not get behind in the point, which I feel like is really important. I’m able to get out to the corners and still be aggressive with my shots, and also mix it up—throw in a couple of slices on both sides. Keeping that pressure on my opponent is really important. With how the girls move today, you have to keep getting faster and stronger.”
WHAT IT MEANS: Pegula now awaits the winner of the Round-of-16 matchup between top seed and world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and No. 16 seed Liudmila Samsonova, a shot at her first US Open semifinal hanging in the balance. It was Swiatek who defeated her in the quarterfinals here two years ago.
Pegula will attempt to reach the first major semifinal of her career. Her record stands at 0-7 in the quarterfinals.
“I always say, I just need to win the match to get to the semis, then that will solve everything,” she said with a smile. “It doesn’t really matter to me: Every match is another match. I’ve always played it like that. It just so happens to be a quarterfinal. At the same time, to be able to say I’ve been in that position many, many times is great. I just have to keep putting myself there and keep trying to play my game.”
MATCH POINT: Pegula matched Navarro and Elena Rybakina with a tour-best six quarterfinals on hard courts in 2024 – Adelaide, San Diego, Miami, Toronto, Cincinnati, and the US Open.
