New York (AFP) – World number three Jessica Pegula conquered US Open first-round nerves to dispatch Elena-Gabriela Ruse on Sunday, kicking off the action on Arthur Ashe Stadium as Novak Djokovic waited in the wings. Pegula broke Romania’s Ruse twice in each set on the way to a 6-3, 6-2 triumph, but it was less straightforward than the score indicated as the 32-year-old veteran felt the weight of playing first on the cavernous show court.
“Oh yeah, I was so nervous today, always the first round of a slam,” said Pegula, the 32-year-old who is the highest ranked American in either the men’s or women’s draw in the final Grand Slam of the year. “It’s an amazing honor,” she said of being given the first match on Ashe. “It’s an honor to hold that title, walking out onto Ashe opening day, first match, it’s amazing.”
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Pegula is chasing her first Grand Slam title. She came closest with a runner-up finish to Aryna Sabalenka at the 2024 US Open, and she fell to the Belarusian in the semi-finals last year. Pegula saved the only break point she faced, but her nerves showed as she converted just two of her 14 break point chances in the opening set. That was enough, and she was an efficient two-for-four on break opportunities in the second. She gave herself triple match point with a crisp forehand winner to the corner and after Ruse saved two with booming serves, she secured the win when the Romanian put a forehand into the net.
With the first round now spread over three days, Pegula was looking forward to a couple of days off with a confidence-boosting win under her belt. “I get to sit around the site and watch everybody else freak out for the next two days,” she said.
– Djokovic quest continues –
Four-time US Open champion Djokovic headlined the night session, launching his latest quest for a record-busting 25th Grand Slam title against Argentina’s Mariano Navone. Djokovic seized his 24th major trophy at the US Open in 2023, donning a jacket emblazoned with the number 24 after matching Australian Margaret Court’s all-time record. But the “25” jacket has stayed in the closet through Djokovic’s subsequent 11 major starts. He’s reached the final in two — including the Australian Open this year — and the semi-finals in six.
The 39-year-old, seeded fourth in a draw headed by world number two Alexander Zverev and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, says he’s prepared “as best I can be” for his 20th US Open campaign after struggling physically in losing his opening match in Cincinnati this month — his only appearance since a Wimbledon semi-final exit.
Venus Williams headlines an all-American wild card clash to close out the action on Arthur Ashe Stadium, taking on 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin. Williams won two of her seven Grand Slam titles at the US Open, but the 46-year-old has lost her last 14 singles matches. Much of the crowd will be backing her to halt the skid, with the winner of the match booking a meeting with Pegula.
Daniil Medvedev, one of five former champions in the men’s draw, opened his campaign against France’s Hugo Gaston. In early action, 88th-ranked Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan knocked out two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova 7-6 (7/4), 6-2. Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, got past Slovenian Veronika Erjavec 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.
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