Pegula defeats Ken 7-6, 6-3
Jessica Pegula of Buffalo, New York, has been hitting the pavement this summer. She defended her title in WTA 1000 event in Toronto (d. Anisimova) and reached the final in WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati (b. Sabalenka). The 30-year-old achieved a career-high ranking of #3 IN 2022 and is currently ranked and ranked sixth.
Pegula, one of the favorites to win the final slam of the season, raised her level to subdue a worthy opponent; a fellow American and Grand Slam champion. Sofia Kenin, only twenty-five years old, won the Australian Open in 2020 and in that season hit a career high of #4.
She has struggled over the past few years with injuries, illness and changes to her team and as a result is currently ranked #54. She headed head on 2-1splitting the two hardcourt matches and dominating the ground. All three went the distance and competed for the last time 2021.
Kenin has not moved on 4new round as Pegula reached the quarters 2022. Kenin served first and with three outstanding winners, held easily 15 while Pegula served three unforced errors, including a double fault and dropped serve.
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Kenin opened the third with two straight unforced errors and two more including a double fault got the break back. Pegula did 4/6 first serves and is held for him 30 to consolidate rest and level.
Kenin served up three straight unforced errors, including another double fault, and dropped serve while Pegula double-faulted and converted the break when Kenin crushed a forehand crosscourt.
Kenin opened the seventh with two straight forehand winners and although he served up another double fault, he held on 30 ABOUT 4-3. Pegula faced 0-30 and double break point, but held on with an ace and an unreturnable serve.
Kenin continued to charge off the floor and dictate play. She hit three winners and easily held on 15 ABOUT 5-4. The peg that serves to stay on the set, was lost 3/4 from his first serves, still held at love level.
They did 3/5 first serves and is held for him 15 ABOUT 6-5 with a cross-swing volley winner. Pegula had to hold to force the offender. After winning one 21-fired the rally to open the twelfth, she closed it with an ace out wide.
Kenin won the opening point of the breaker with a terrific forehand, but as the unforced errors continued to mount, she conceded it. 4-7 with a wrong forehead.
Pegula served first in the second. She served a double fault, faced break point and dropped serve when Kenin hit a forehand down the line. She opened with a double fault, faced three deuces and two break points, but fought back to consolidate the break with an ace out wide and a monster serve on the tee.
Pegula hit two straight forehand winners to get on the board, while Kenin served new balls, gave away three unforced errors and dropped serve. Pegula hit an ace out and consolidated the break for 3-2 while Kenin lost 4/8 the former serving and giving away four unforced errors, the latter a double fault to drop the serve.
Pegula, feeding off the energy of a packed Louis Armstrong Stadium, hit two winners including an ace on the tee to consolidate the break and lead 5-2. Kenin, who was serving to stay in the match, opened with a stunning return on the line pass and held 15 ABOUT 3-5.
Pegula opened the ninth with her fifth ace and secured the match, set and match with her sixth. Kenin played at an extremely high level for most of the first set, but was overwhelmed in the second.
Pegula won 65First % and 54% of second serve points and 41First % and 56% of second serve return points. She escaped 4/7 breakpoints during conversion 4/7 and hit twenty-three winners on seventeen unforced errors. It was a self-assured performance from a formidable field competitor.
Next, there’s a NextGen player from Spain. Jessica Bouzas Maneiro just twenty one, has achieved a career high ranking of #74. In the opening round, she sent former world #14 Petra Martic and finally, 31seed, Katie Boulter. This will be their first meeting at tournament level with a place in the round of sixteen on the line.
