Jessica Pegula's resurgence at the US Open continues after the No. 4 seed ousted two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka 6-1 7-5, while Marketa Vondrousova caused an upset by beating No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini 7-6 (4) 6-1 in the third round at Flushing Meadows.
Pegula, who had been just 2-4 since Wimbledon going into the US Open, won her opening two matches in New York in straight sets. And on Friday, she made a quick start against Azarenka, breaking the former world No. 1 twice to easily win the first set. The second set was a much tighter contest as the Belarusian was twice up by a break and even had a chance to serve out for the set at 5-4. But the No. 4 seed responded with back-to-back breaks - won the next three games - and made sure there would be no decider in their match.
In the Vondrousova and Paolini match, there wasn't much separating the two early on - but when the time came for a tie-break - the Czech stepped up and opened a 6-2 lead before converting her third set point. In the second set, the two players were leveled to a game apiece through the first two games before Vondrousova won five games in a row to complete her win in style.
Who are Pegula and Vondrousova's next US Open rivals?
In the US Open round-of-16, Pegula will meet the winner of the match between Ann Li and Pirscilla Hon.
Meanwhile, Vondrousova is due to battle against Elena Rybakina for a place in the US Open quarterfinal. Today, Rybakina annihilated Emma Raducanu 6-1 6-2, and it didn't go unnoticed by the Czech.
Shes playing great tennis and won easily today. I have nothing to lose. I love these matches. Its incredible to be here again and play good tennis," Vondrousova said ahead of her match against Rybakina.
