Jessica Pegula intends to take a step-by-step approach to her bid to win her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.
The fifth seed stormed to a 6-2, 6-0, win over compatriot Ashlyn Krueger in the first round on what was an overcast day at The All England Club. Pegula was rarely troubled in the match as she dropped seven points behind serve and hit 17 winners past her rival. She now has a 4-1 winning record when it comes to first round matches played at the tournament.
Pegula’s latest victory comes during an encouraging grasscourt swing for the American, who was forced to skip the French Open earlier this year due to injury. In Berlin, she won her first WTA trophy on the grass by defeating Anna Kalinskaya in the final. However, she then suffered a first round defeat in Eastbourne to Emma Raducanu.
“I think you have to put in your mind that you’re here to win matches,” Pegula said during her press conference.
“I’m not really one to be like, I’m going to win Wimbledon. Maybe some people are different and that’s what they like to do.
“I think it’s me, just belief in every single match, maybe not getting too ahead of myself. “
The women’s draw is starting to open up already which could pave the way for the trend of new champions in the women’s event to continue. The past seven editions have been won by seven different players. In the bottom half of this year’s draw, none of those players have previously reached the semi-final stage at Wimbledon.
“It just goes to show you that anything can happen,” she said.
“There’s a lot of depth. I think a lot of girls get excited a little bit at that fact. You have a chance if you can play well here these two weeks. I think it makes us all a little bit more excited.”
Whilst there are plenty of positives for Pegula, the 30-year-old is refusing to look too far ahead. She has yet to progress beyond the last eight of a major despite her credentials. So far in her career, she has won five WTA titles and earned more than $13M in prize money.
“It’s nice to be able to get through today, but at the same time, I’m looking forward to the next challenge. You just kind ofhave to take it day by day, especially in a two-week event.” Pegula concluded.
