Did Jessica Pegula Secure a Spot in the Third Round of the French Open?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Jessica Pegula showcased her resilience by winning against Ann Li.
- This victory is Pegula's 30th match win of the season.
- She has advanced to the third round of the French Open for the third time.
- The match highlighted the strong presence of American women in tennis.
- Pegula faces a formidable opponent in Marketa Vondrousova next.
Paris, May 29 (NationPress) Jessica Pegula spearheaded the American effort at Roland Garros on Thursday, achieving a hard-fought victory of 6-3, 7-6(3) against her fellow American Ann Li. This win marks Pegula's 30th match victory this season. The world No. 3 displayed remarkable determination, particularly in a tense second set, allowing her to progress to the third round of the French Open for the third time in her career.
The 31-year-old managed to break Li's serve three times and successfully saved six out of seven break points during a match that began with Li taking an early 2-0 lead in the first set. However, Pegula quickly regained control, showcasing her renowned baseline consistency and mental toughness. After leveling the score, she dictated the pace from the back of the court, winning six of the next seven games to clinch the set.
The second set presented a different challenge. Both players held their serves through the first eight games, with Li, currently ranked 55th in the world, having two significant chances to break at 4-4. Nonetheless, Pegula exhibited the poise of a seasoned champion—first with a stunning running forehand down the line, followed by a powerful serve leading to a clear winner.
During the tiebreak, Pegula's composure shone through. A wide backhand from Li gifted her an early lead, and she wrapped up the match with a smooth backhand volley at the net.
Pegula's victory is part of a larger resurgence for American women at Roland Garros. With Coco Gauff seeded No. 2 and Madison Keys also advancing, this marks the first time since the era of Venus and Serena Williams in 2009 that the U.S. boasts three women in the top 10 seeds.
Notably, nine American women participated in the second-round matches from the bottom half of the draw, a rare and significant presence on the clay courts of Paris.
Looking ahead, Pegula is set to face former Roland Garros finalist and 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, who triumphed over No. 25 Magdalena Frech in three sets. It promises to be a challenging match, but Pegula enters with high confidence, having recorded more victories this season than any WTA player aside from Aryna Sabalenka.