Jessica Pegula, a prominent figure in American tennis and a native of Buffalo, is gearing up for her second-round match at the U.S. Open on Wednesday. Pegula, who currently holds the distinction of being the highest-ranked American woman in tennis, entered the tournament with a world ranking of No. 3.
The 32-year-old Pegula is the daughter of Terry and Kim Pegula, owners of the NFL's Buffalo Bills and NHL's Buffalo Sabres. Known for her strong performances on the court, Pegula has expressed her fondness for the U.S. Open, calling it her favorite tournament. She has stated that competing in New York is particularly special for her, as she feels a deep connection to the crowd and the energy of the city.
Pegula's journey in the tournament began with a solid performance against Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse, where she secured a convincing victory with a score of 6-3, 6-2. This match lasted 1 hour and 23 minutes, showcasing Pegula's ability to dominate on the court. Her success at the U.S. Open is notable, as she reached her first Grand Slam singles final in 2024 and continues to seek her first Grand Slam title.
In the upcoming match, Pegula will face fellow American Sofia Kenin, who advanced to the second round by defeating seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams. Kenin's victory came with a score of 6-2, 7-6 (6), and was marked by her resilience, saving seven set points in the second set. Despite entering the tournament ranked No. 110, Kenin has previously achieved a career-high ranking of No. 4 and won the Australian Open in 2020.
The head-to-head record between Pegula and Kenin favors Pegula, who leads 4-2. Their previous encounters include a match in the second round of the 2024 U.S. Open, where Pegula triumphed with a score of 7-6 (4), 6-3, and another in the 2025 Charleston final, which Pegula won 6-3, 7-5.
Fans can catch the action live on Wednesday, with the match scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. ET at Arthur Ashe Stadium. For those looking to watch from home, the match will be available on ESPN platforms and can also be streamed via the ESPN App.
The 2026 U.S. Open runs from August 30 to September 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens, and promises to deliver exciting matches as top players compete for the prestigious title.
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