“It’s a tough act,” Jessica Pegula jokes on how difficult it is to play after Carlos Alcaraz as the Spaniard continues to rise in popularity at the US Open

Pegula defeated Romanian Patricia Maria Tig in the second round of the US Open.

“It’s a tough act,” Jessica Pegula jokes on how difficult it is to play after Carlos Alcaraz as the Spaniard continues to rise in popularity at the US Open

(L) Jessica Pegula; (R) Carlos Alcaraz (Via tennisinfinity/Shutterstock)

Jessica Pegula cheekily explained how hard it was to play after Spain’s tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz on the same courts. The American thanked the crowd for staying for her match in the ongoing US Open. She also revealed that it was a “tough act to follow” referring to the young Spaniard’s match. Pegula showed her appreciation for the 20-year-old by acknowledging the level of the crowd after watching his match.

In the post-match interview, Pegula said, “It’s hard to follow Carlos. It’s a tough act to follow, man. I don’t know why. I don’t think I’m ever gonna do that justice (laughs).” She also talked about how she has finally gotten used to playing in the grandeur of the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The American revealed that playing at other big stadiums helped calm her nerves when it came to playing on Ashe.

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Both Alcaraz and Pegula have been playing at the top of their games over the past few years. Pegula currently holds the WTA ranking of World No. 3. However, she is yet to create any huge effects in Grand Slam events in the singles category, having a quarter-final finish in all Slams. However, in the doubles category with partner and fellow American Coco Gauff, she has quite a few accomplishments.

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Pegula has appeared in the doubles final match at the French Open in 2022, along with consecutive semi-final appearances in at the Australian Open and the French Open in 2023. Alcaraz, on the other hand, has two Grand Slam titles to his name in his relatively short career. The 20-year-old holds the US Open title and the Wimbledon title, defeating big names in the final. He has also held 4 Masters 1000 titles over the duration of a year.

Related: Aryna Sabalenka makes her plans clear on the chance to snatch both the US Open crown and the World No. 1 rank from Iga Swiatek

Jessica Pegula moves to the third round at the US Open

Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula (Image via Sports Illustrated)

Pegula defeated Romanian Patricia Maria Tig in the second round of the US Open. Pegula won in style with a score of 3-6, 1-6. Though both players were hoping to have a better outcome, it was ultimately Pegula who achieved this.

Following this victory, the American is set to face Elina Svitolina in the third-round match. Svitolina hopes to be the best player she can be, giving a tough contest to the World No.3 player. The Ukrainian has reached the highest ranking of No.3 in her career. She has had quite a solid 2023 season with consecutive quarter-final and semi-final finishes at Grand Slam events. Svitolina’s list of accolades includes an Olympic bronze, and a WTA championships final title in 2018.

Pegula on the other hand is currently No.3 in the world. She is also No.6 in the women’s doubles ranking along with partner Coco Gauff. Pegula and Svitolina will play against each other in the hope of asserting their dominance over the other. The match is set to take place on September 2.

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