US Open: Pegula moves into seventh Grand Slam quarter-final, dominates Shnaider

American Jessica Pegula, the No 6 seed, moved into the quarter-finals of the US Open by winning against Russian Diana Shnaider, the No 18 seed, 6-4, 6-2 on Monday afternoon.

The first set saw five breaks of serve within six games, two in favour of the Russian, three in favour of the American. Pegula managed to save two more break points while aiming to serve out the first set, finishing the set 6-4 – although had a large 40 percent differential between her first and second serve points won.

In the second set, Pegula managed to improve her performance on the first and second serve, increasing the percentage of points won on both. The American only faced one break point in this set, which she saved, and broke the Russian’s serve on two occasions before serving out the match in a convincing manner.

Pegula’s US Open performance is a vast improvement on the other two Grand Slams at which she has participated in in 2024 – having made the second round in both the Australian Open and Wimbledon. She also came into the event in great form having successfully defended her title in Canada.

After the match, Pegula stated:

“I feel like this was the first time I have played, really, during the day – hot conditions – so I felt like we were both returning really well if we didn’t get some good first serves in. Having to hold onto my serve in tough moments in the first set was really important.”

Additionally, the American was asked about her improvement in on-court movement, which was evident during this match:

“I feel like I am moving so much better around the court, I am able to get pulled off the court, but still not get behind in the point which is really important. I am able to get out into the corners and still be aggressive with my shots, and also mix it up; through in some slices on both sides.”

I feel like I am moving so much better around the court

Quarter-final streak

Pegula has previously played in six Grand Slam quarter-finals and not managed to move into the final four in any of these attempts. This year’s US Open is the first Grand Slam in which she has made the quarter-finals since last year’s Wimbledon, and the American hopes to finally break the streak:

“I always say I just need to win a match and that will solve everything, right? Listen, it doesn’t really matter to me, every match is every match, I have always played it like that, it just so happens to be quarter-finals. At the same time, to say that I’ve been in that position many, many times is great so I have to keep putting myself there and just play my game, and it’s one point at a time when you are out there.”

it’s one point at a time when you are out there

Pegula, ranked No 6, will face the winner of the match between Pole Iga Swiatek, the top seed, and Russian Liudmila Samsonova, the No 16 seed, next.

Ahead of her victory, the American defeated Shelby Rogers (6-4, 6-3), Sofia Kenin (7-6 (4), 6-3) and Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (6-3, 6-3).

Shnaider, ranked No 18, won against Argentinian Nadia Podoroska (6-0, 6-1), Dane Clara Tauson (6-4, 6-4) and Italian Sara Errani (6-2, 6-2) in the previous rounds.

New York (Grand Slam), other last 16 results (USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, hard, USD 75.000.000, most recent results first):

• Iga Swiatek vs. Liudmila Samsonova
• Caroline Wozniacki vs. Beatriz Haddad Maia
• Karolina Muchova beat Jasmine Paolini (5): 6-3, 6-3
• Qinwen Zheng (7) beat Donna Vekic (24): 7-6 (2), 4-6, 6-2
• Aryna Sabalenka (2) beat Elise Mertens (33): 6-2, 6-4
• Emma Navarro (13) beat Coco Gauff (3): 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
• Paula Badosa (26) beat Yafan Wang: 6-1, 6-2