Pegula defeats Kenin 7-6, 6-3

Jessica Pegula from Buffalo, New York, has been pounding the pavement this summer. She defended her title at the WTA 1000 event in Toronto (d. Anisimova) and reached the final at the WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati (l. Sabalenka). The thirty-year-old reached a career-high rank of #3 in 2022 and is currently ranked and seeded sixth.

Pegula, one of the favorites to win the final slam of the season, raised her level to subdue a worthy opponent; a fellow American and grand slam champion. Sofia Kenin, just twenty-five years of age, won the Australian Open in 2020 and in that season reached a career high of #4.

She has struggled the past several years with injuries, illness, and changes in her team and as a result, is currently ranked #54. She led the head-to-head 2-1, splitting the two hardcourt matches and prevailing on the dirt. All three went the distance, and they last competed in 2021.

Kenin has not progressed past the 4th round while Pegula reached the quarters in 2022. Kenin served first and with three outstanding winners, held easily to 15 while Pegula donated three unforced errors, including a double fault and dumped serve.

(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Kenin opened the third with two consecutive unforced errors and two more including a double fault, gave back the break. Pegula made 4/6 first serves and held to 30 to consolidate the break and level.

Kenin gifted three consecutive unforced errors including another double fault and dropped serve while Pegula committed two errors and gave back the break when Kenin crushed a forehand crosscourt.

Kenin opened the seventh with two consecutive forehand winners and though she donated another double fault, held to 30 for 4-3. Pegula faced 0-30 and double break point yet held with an ace up the tee and an unreturnable serve.

Kenin continued to unload off the ground and dictate play. She struck three winners and held easily to 15 for 5-4. Pegula serving to stay in the set, missed 3/4 of his first serves yet held at love to level.

Kenin made 3/5 first serves and held to 15 for 6-5 with a backhand crosscourt swing volley winner. Pegula had to hold to force the breaker. After winning a 21-shot rally to open the twelfth, she closed with an ace out wide.  

Kenin won the opening point of the breaker with a terrific backhand drop shot but as the unforced errors continued to accrue, she conceded it 4-7 with an errant forehand.

Pegula served first in the second. She donated a double fault, faced break point, and dumped serve when Kenin pummeled a forehand down the line. She opened with a double fault, faced three deuce and double break point but battled to consolidate the break with an ace out wide and a monster serve up the tee.

Pegula hit two consecutive forehand winners to get on the board while Kenin served with new balls, gifted three unforced errors, and dropped serve. Pegula hit an ace out wide and consolidated the break for 3-2 while Kenin missed 4/8 first serves and donated four unforced errors, the last a double fault to dump serve.

Pegula, feeding off the energy of a packed Louis Armstrong stadium, hit two winners including an ace up the tee to consolidate the break and lead 5-2. Kenin, serving to stay in the match, opened with a stunning backhand down the line pass and held to 15 for 3-5.

Pegula opened the ninth with her fifth ace and with her sixth, secured the game, set and match. Kenin played at an exceedingly high level for most of the first set but was outplayed in the second.

Pegula won 65% of first and 54% of second serve points and 41% of first and 56% of second serve return points. She saved 4/7 break points while converting 4/7 and hit twenty-three winners to seventeen unforced errors. It was a self-assured performance from an exceptional hardcourt competitor.

Next up, is a NextGen player from Spain. Jessica Bouzas Maneiro just twenty-one, has achieved a career-high ranking of #74. In the opening round, she dispatched former world #14 Petra Martic and in the last, the 31st seed, Katie Boulter. This will be their first tour-level meeting with a spot in the round of sixteen on the line.