Pegula brushes aside Kvitova, into US Open last eight

American Jessica Pegula, the No 8 seed, advanced to the last eight of the US Open by beating Czech Petra Kvitova, the No 21 seed, 6-3, 6-2 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on Monday.

It is the first time Pegula has beaten Kvitova, and the first time in four attempts she has beaten a seed in New York.

“So happy that I was able to not get frustrated today, to kind of stay in the match, even if I was down a break or just got broken,” reflected Pegula afterwards. “Thought I returned really well and ended up serving really smart when I had to.”

Pegula, ranked No 8, will face Pole Iga Swiatek, the top seed, who defeated Jule Niemeier, next.

The American won against Swiss qualifier Viktorija Golubic (6-2, 6-2), Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich (6-4, 6-4) and Chinese qualifier Yue Yuan (6-2, 6-7 (6), 6-0) ahead of her victory.

In the previous rounds of Flushing Meadows, Kvitova, ranked No 21, defeated Russian qualifier Erika Andreeva (7-6 (3), 6-0), Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina (W/O) and Spaniard Garbine Muguruza, the No 9 seed (5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (10)).

US Open, other fourth round results:

• Ons Jabeur (5) beat Veronika Kudermetova (18): 7-6 (1), 6-4
• Ajla Tomljanovic beat Liudmila Samsonova: 7-6 (8), 6-1
• Coco Gauff (12) beat Shuai Zhang: 7-5, 7-5
• Caroline Garcia (17) beat Alison Riske-Amritraj (29): 6-4, 6-1