Jessica Pegula admits the US Open is a great opportunity for a big Grand Slam breakthrough after her opening round victory.
The American managed to beat Viktorija Golubic 6-2 6-2 in her opening round at the US Open.
Pegula produced a dominant display in what has been another consistent season for her.
The 28 year-old is ranked at eight in the world and has produced great results this season like a final in Madrid and a quarter-final at Roland Garros.
In her post-match press conference Pegula admitted one of the keys to her success is knowing how to win even when not playing her best tennis, “I think just knowing that I can play well even when I’m not feeling great and knowing that no matter how many practices you have or how you feel that it’s your job to kind of go out and figure it out when you get there on court,” the American said.
“I think sometimes before a slam, you can get really kind of in your head or, you know, more frustrated because there is a lot of build-up and there is a lot more hype.
“I think that’s what I have been doing great all year, so I’m going to try to go back to that and that feeling of just kind of staying in the present moment during the match and doing what I have to do there and not worried about all the other feelings you kind of get throughout the process of a slam.”
Pegula sure is doing a good job of keeping emotions under control at the moment as she approaches a big opportunity in the women’s draw.
The American could face the likes of Elise Mertens and Garbine Muguruza before a quarter-final showdown with world number one Iga Swiatek.
Ahead of a big couple of weeks Pegula admitted that this is a massive opportunity to do something special, “I always think every tournament as a chance,” Pegula said.
“You never know what’s going to happen every week, whether it be a breakthrough or even at a smaller event, sometimes the smaller breakthroughs can lead to a lot bigger ones.
“I think every week it’s really important to take everything you can out of that week and move on to the next week. It’s always easier said than done, but of course this is another great opportunity for me.
“I feel like I’m coming in here with more experience than last time, maybe playing a little bit better than last time. I hope. Again, it’s day by day. You see a lot of upsets first round, second round, so I’m just trying to make my way through and do the best I can from there.”
Pegula will look to keep up her consistent form when she takes on Elisabetta Cocciaretto or Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the second round on Thursday.
