NEW YORK — American No. 1 Jessica Pegula made a commanding statement on Wednesday, cruising into the third round of the US Open with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-2 victory over Russia's Anna Blinkova.
The match, played under the closed roof of Louis Armstrong Stadium due to rain, lasted a mere 59 minutes. Pegula, the tournament's No. 3 seed and last year's runner-up, displayed a masterclass in precision and power, leaving the 40th-ranked Blinkova with few answers.
From the outset, Pegula’s aggressive baseline game and relentless return pressure set the tone. She broke Blinkova’s serve in the opening game and never looked back, winning the first set in just 26 minutes. Pegula’s first-serve percentage was a dominant 83% in the opening set, allowing her to control the rallies from the center of the court.
A Dominant Display from the Baseline
Pegula’s performance was a near-flawless execution of her game plan. She struck 19 winners to just 9 unforced errors, a remarkably clean ratio. Her depth of shot consistently pushed Blinkova behind the baseline, neutralizing the Russian's own aggressive intentions. Pegula’s ability to redirect the ball with pace to both corners kept Blinkova perpetually on the defensive.
Blinkova, known for her fighting spirit, struggled to find any rhythm. She managed only 5 winners throughout the match and was broken five times. Pegula’s returning was particularly potent; she won an impressive 57% of points on Blinkova’s second serve, converting break points with clinical efficiency.
Reflecting on her performance in her post-match press conference, Pegula was pleased with her focus and execution: "I thought I played really smart today. I was able to execute my game plan and not let her get into any kind of rhythm. I served well, returned well, and I was pretty clean from the baseline."
Contrasting Paths to the Second Round
The straight-sets scoreline belied the contrasting journeys each player had to this stage. Pegula had a straightforward first-round win over Camila Giorgi, while Blinkova endured a monumental battle. The Russian saved six match points in a thrilling comeback to defeat 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez in a match that lasted 2 hours and 48 minutes.
The physical and emotional toll of that epic victory was evident. Pegula acknowledged the potential challenge, stating, "I knew she had a long match, a tough match, a big win. Those can be tricky. You never know if someone is going to be a little tired or if they're going to be riding the high of a big win. I just wanted to start strong and not give her any confidence."
Pegula’s strategy to apply immediate pressure paid dividends, preventing Blinkova from ever settling into the match. The key factors in Pegula's dominant win included:
- Serve Efficiency: A high first-serve percentage that set up easy points.
- Aggressive Returning: Constant pressure applied on Blinkova's service games.
- Minimal Errors: Maintaining a high level of play with very few unforced mistakes.
- Quick Adaptation: Adjusting seamlessly to the indoor conditions under the roof.
Looking Ahead to the Next Challenge
With the victory, Pegula advances to the third round, where she will face either Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia. A potential matchup with Svitolina would be a marquee event, pitting two of the tour's most consistent players against each other. Pegula holds a 2-1 head-to-head advantage over Svitolina, though they have never met at a Grand Slam.
Pegula remains focused on the task at hand, emphasizing the importance of maintaining her level: "It's about staying focused on my side of the net. I feel like I'm playing well. I'm moving well. I just have to keep doing what I'm doing and take it one match at a time. The draws are always tough, so there are no easy matches from here on out."
As one of the favorites for the title, Pegula’s early form is a promising sign for her campaign to go one step further than her 2023 final appearance. Her powerful, consistent game is perfectly suited to the fast hard courts of Flushing Meadows, and her mental fortitude has grown significantly with deep runs at every major.
A Statement of Intent in New York
Jessica Pegula’s emphatic win sends a clear message to the rest of the draw. In a tournament already marked by upsets and early exits for top players, her businesslike and dominant performance underscores her status as a serious contender. She has yet to drop a set and has spent minimal time on court, a crucial advantage as the tournament progresses and the matches become more physically demanding.
For Anna Blinkova, the US Open journey ends after a rollercoaster week that featured one of the matches of the tournament. While she was unable to replicate that magic against a top-three player in peak form, her fighting spirit in the first round was a testament to her talent and determination.
For Pegula, the quest for a maiden Grand Slam title continues with unwavering momentum. Her comfortable win over a dangerous opponent like Blinkova proves she possesses the focus and firepower to navigate the early rounds and build the form necessary for a title challenge.
As the American summed it up, "It's always good to get through like that. You want to be efficient early in a Slam, save energy, and just keep building. I feel like I'm in a good place and I'm excited for the next one."