Jessica Pegula searches for her maiden Grand Slam semi-final when she takes on world number one Iga Swiatek on day ten of the US Open.
Iga Swiatek’s bid for a second US Open keeps getting stronger with each round as the world number one produced another impressive performance to defeat Liudmila Samsonova. After a tricky start to the tournament, Swiatek has cruised through the draw as she hasn’t faced break point since the opening round. Now the Roland Garros champion will hope to keep her composure and high level as she seeks a sixth Grand Slam title and continues to show why she is the best player in the world on any surface.
A big test awaits Swiatek in the quarter-finals as she takes on the in-form Jessica Pegula, who will feel her time to achieve a Grand Slam breakthrough is now. The American has had a sensational build-up to her home Grand Slam having won the title in Toronto and then backed that up by reaching the final in Cincinnati. Pegula has never been better placed to break her Grand Slam quarter-final curse as her consistency, accuracy and aggressive play has been rewarded in the second half of the season. Now entering her seventh Grand Slam quarter-final, Pegula will hope this year’s US Open is the place where she can reach her first semi-final at Grand Slam level.
Swiatek will aim to be aggressive on serve as she will force Pegula behind the baseline as she will use angles to create space on the court. Meanwhile Pegula will aim to bring the match to Swiatek as she will aim to soak up pressure and be aggressive off the shorter balls in order to take the match to the world number one. This will be a competitive match with both players playing some of their best tennis at the moment with this match expected to be defined by fine margins.
