Iga Swiatek admits playing against Jessica Pegula is “never easy” ahead of their quarterfinal clash at 2024 US Open

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek reached the quarterfinals at the 2024 US Open after she beat Liudmila Samsonova in the fourth round. The Polish ace, who will next face Jessica Pegula for a place in the semifinals, is well aware of the challenge ahead of her.

Having played the American nine times on the tour, Swiatek knows Pegula’s game and how she operates. Thus, when asked about her upcoming quarterfinal clash, Swiatek admitted that it was not going to be an easy task.

Recalling their meeting in New York in 2022, Swiatek claimed that Pegula likes to engage in long rallies and forces the opponent to work on low legs.

We played here two years ago. Playing against Jessica it’s never easy. Pretty tricky game style. You have to work low on your legs and be ready for long rallies but also some intense hitting. She’s a great player so for sure it’s gonna be a challenge.

Iga Swiatek said in her on-court interview

The last time Jessica Pegula and Iga Swiatek played against each other at the US Open, the Pole won the match in straight sets. Swiatek also leads the head-to-head record 6-3 against Pegula.

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Iga Swiatek overcomes hard court struggles to reach second US Open quarterfinal in sixth attempt

Iga Swiatek made it to her second US Open quarterfinal when she beat Liudmila Samsonova 6-4, 6-1 on Monday night. After suffering a fourth-round exit at the 2023 US Open while defending her title, Swiatek was under the pump.

The Pole has failed to win a title at the Australian Open and Wimbledon and has won a solitary title at the US Open in five attempts. On the other hand, she has won four French Open titles four in six attempts. This led to the idea that she is not comfortable playing on hard courts and her game is best suited to the red dirt.

Therefore, her quarterfinal qualification in New York this year comes as a big statement to her critics. Swiatek has been at her absolute best so far at the US Open, winning all four of her matches in straight sets. In fact, Swiatek has lost just 28 games (with six coming in the tiebreaker in the first round) so far in the tournament. She has shown good form at Flushing Meadows and is now one of the favorites to win the title this week.

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