US Open: Jessica Pegula beats Fernandez 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 to reach fourth round
Synopsis
Down a set and misfiring on serve, Jessica Pegula flipped the script on Leylah Fernandez at Arthur Ashe Stadium — winning 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 to reach the US Open fourth round. With a maiden Grand Slam title and the world No. 1 ranking both within reach, Pegula's second-week run could define her career.
Key Takeaways
Jessica Pegula defeated Leylah Fernandez 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the US Open women's singles third round on 4 September at Arthur Ashe Stadium .
Pegula, ranked world No.
3 , came back from a set down, having landed just 31% of first serves and committing 11 unforced errors in the opening set.
She fended off five second-set break points and won a key 26-shot rally to level the match.
A fourth-round berth keeps Pegula on course for a maiden Grand Slam title and the world No.
Fernandez , a former US Open finalist, was eliminated after failing to sustain her first-set dominance.
Jessica Pegula staged a composed comeback against Leylah Fernandez to advance to the fourth round of the US Open women's singles at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York on Friday, 4 September, winning 1-6, 6-4, 6-3. The result keeps the world No. 3 American firmly on track for what would be a maiden Grand Slam title — and potentially the No. 1 ranking.
A Shaky Start, Then a Shift in Gears
Pegula entered the match having conceded no more than three games in any of her four sets this tournament, but the opening set told a different story. Fernandez, the 23-year-old Canadian left-hander, surged to a 3-0 lead with incisive angled approach shots and deft forehand volleys, reading the prolonged rallies a step ahead of her opponent.
Pegula landed just 31 percent of first serves and committed 11 unforced errors in an uncharacteristically loose opening set, which Fernandez claimed in just 30 minutes.
Pegula Finds Her Range
The 32-year-old American recalibrated in the second set, tightening her serve and fending off five break points with heavy deliveries and smart placement to build a 5-2 advantage. Fernandez reduced the deficit, but Pegula held firm through a lung-bursting 26-shot rally to close out the set and level the match.
The decisive third set saw Pegula enter what observers described as a 'no miss mode', breaking to lead 3-1 and refusing to relinquish that advantage. She closed out the match to secure her place in the second week.
What Is at Stake
For Pegula, the fourth-round berth carries weight beyond a single match. A deep run at Flushing Meadows could deliver both her first Grand Slam title and the world No. 1 ranking — two milestones that have remained just out of reach throughout her career. This is the second time the two players have met at a Grand Slam final stage, adding an extra layer of rivalry to Friday's contest.
Fernandez's Exit
Fernandez, a former US Open finalist, was sharp and tactically astute in the opening set but could not sustain that level as Pegula raised her game. The Canadian's exit ends what had been a promising run at a tournament where she famously reached the final in 2021.
What Comes Next
Pegula advances to the fourth round at Flushing Meadows, where she will look to maintain momentum as the draw tightens. Her ability to recover from a set down — as she did on Friday — will be a key psychological asset heading into the second week of the tournament.
Point of View
Yet she adjusted mid-match, which is the hallmark of a genuine title contender. At 32, with No. 1 and a Grand Slam title still unclaimed, the pressure at Flushing Meadows is uniquely her own. If she can maintain that 'no miss mode' into the second week against progressively stiffer opponents, the narrative around her career could change entirely. The Fernandez match was a warning dressed as a win.
NationPress
5 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of Jessica Pegula vs Leylah Fernandez at the US Open?
Jessica Pegula defeated Leylah Fernandez 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the third round of the US Open women's singles on 4 September at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. Pegula came back from losing the first set to advance to the fourth round.
How did Pegula recover after losing the first set?
Pegula tightened her serve in the second set, fending off five break points and building a 5-2 lead before closing out the set. In the third set she broke to lead 3-1 and did not look back, eventually winning 6-3.
What is at stake for Jessica Pegula at this US Open?
A deep run at the US Open could deliver Pegula her first Grand Slam title and the world No. 1 ranking — both goals she has described as within reach heading into the second week of the tournament.
Who is Leylah Fernandez and why does this match matter?
Leylah Fernandez is a 23-year-old Canadian tennis player who reached the US Open final in 2021. Friday's third-round exit ends her run at a tournament where she has historically performed well, and the result adds another chapter to her rivalry with Pegula.
Where is the US Open 2024 being played?
The US Open is being held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, with the women's singles matches played at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the tournament's main showcourt.
