Jessica Pegula dispatches Sofia Kenin

Jessica Pegula moved into the third round of the U.S. Open on Wednesday with a 6-3, 6-1 win over fellow American Sofia Kenin in 56 minutes at Flushing Meadows. The No. 3 seed was the first player on Arthur Ashe Stadium and finished before much of the rain-affected schedule could take shape. Pegula did not face a break point in the match and kept control from the start, according to WTA and Reuters match reports. The victory sent her into the third round in New York for the seventh straight year. ### How one-sided was the match against Kenin? The 6-3, 6-1 scoreline only partly captured Pegula’s control. Reuters reported that Pegula dropped only three first-serve points in the opening set, while WTA said the match was her most one-sided win over Kenin after a rivalry that had previously produced several three-set contests. Pegula improved to 5-2 against Kenin with the result. (wtatennis.com) Sofia Kenin came into the match after beating Venus Williams in the first round, but she was unable to create pressure on Pegula’s serve on Wednesday. The Associated Press said Pegula was pleased to get through quickly at a tournament where rain had complicated the schedule and even delayed completion of first-round matches. (kfgo.com) ### What did Pegula say worked in her game? Pegula told reporters she had been more aggressive with her serve. Reuters quoted her as saying, “I’m going for my spots, I’m going pretty big on second serves,” and added that she had worked on adding more firepower there. She said she was “really excited” when something practiced in training showed up in a match. (ca.sports.yahoo.com) The Associated Press also quoted Pegula on the speed of the win. “To be out of there in under an hour, it doesn’t always happen,” she said after the match. ### Why did the short match matter on this day in New York? Wednesday’s schedule was disrupted by rain, and quick progress had extra value for players who could avoid a longer stop-start day. (kfgo.com) The Associated Press described the tournament as one where it had been a struggle even to finish the first round, while Reuters said Pegula, Daniil Medvedev and Ben Shelton were among players advancing on another wet day at the event. (ca.sports.yahoo.com) Arthur Ashe Stadium’s roof meant Pegula’s match could start on time, and her fast finish limited the amount of time she spent on court before the next round. Tournament coverage from the U.S. Open and WTA both framed the win as another efficient early-round performance from the top American woman in the draw. (msn.com) ### What does this add to Pegula’s run in New York? WTA said the result put Pegula into the U.S. Open third round for the seventh consecutive year. The same report said she entered the day with a 47-12 record for the season. Reuters identified her as world No. 3, and tournament coverage listed her as the top American woman left carrying home hopes in the women’s draw. (usopen.org) ### Who does Pegula play next? Leylah Fernandez is Pegula’s next opponent in the third round, according to tournament and match reports published Wednesday. The next match keeps Pegula on course in the women’s draw as the U.S. Open continues at Flushing Meadows through the weekend. (sportstar.thehindu.com) (wtatennis.com)