Pegula Can’t Upset #1

Jessica Can’t Pull Off Upset

Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

The quarterfinals was the last stop at the 2022 US Open for No. 6 ranked American Jessica Pegula, after a 6-3, 7-6 (6-4) victory by Polish tennis player Iga Świątek Wednesday at Arthur Ashe stadium.
 
Although Pegula stepped up her play in the second set inconsistent play and distractions in the match contributed to preventing her from gaining the upper hand.  The match came down to a tie breaker and Pegula powered down in the last few points, while the No 1-ranked Świątek pushed ahead.
 
“Conditions were definitely a little bit different I think playing at night so we had some adjusting to do,” Pegula said. “I feel like the first set was a little bit ugly, but happy with the way I fought back in the second, but still a tough loss.”

 

 

Both players had serving struggles and had three double faults. Pegula made 59 percent of her first serves in and Świątek made 67 percent of her first serves in.
 
“Definitely wish I would have just served like five percent better,”Pegula said. “I felt like at least maybe I could have won the second set.”
 
Pegula was competitive, but fell behind as the first set progressed.
 
“She switched rackets and I think it did help her a little bit,” Pegula said. “Her ball wasn’t flying as much and I don’t know if I was used to her making errors and she made me hit a couple balls and I think I was just thrown off with the rhythm.  Then I started missing everything for literally the rest of the set.”
 
Pegula improved in the second set.  She hit smart shots to the back corners and forced Świątek to move back and forth across the court.  Świątek received a code violation, which might have also distracted Pegula. 

Pegula said it was tough match, but she felt comfortable at home in New York. Pegula is from Buffalo and father Terry Pegula and mother Kim Pegula own the Buffalo Bills football team.  She said she just wishes things would have been different in her match.

“It sucks,” Pegula said.  “I wish I could’ve done it here at my home slam, but I guess not.”
 
Świątek moved ahead to the semifinals of the tournament.  Pegula now cheers for American Frances Tiafoe.
 
“He’s the last American standing,” Pegula said. “I was so proud of him.”