US Open: Jessica Pegula into quarter-finals with win over Diana Shnaider, Karolina Muchova beats Jasmine Paolini
Updated 02/09/2024 at 23:21 GMT+1
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Jessica Pegula insists she is enjoying the "pressure" at Flushing Meadows as the home favourite made it through to the quarter-finals of the US Open with victory over Diana Shnaider. The 30-year-old is hoping to make a first Grand Slam semi-final at her eighth attempt after seeing off the Russian 6-4 6-2. She could meet world No. 1 Iga Swiatek next if the Polish star beats Liudmila Samsonova.
Highlights: Muchova, Pegula and Medvedev advance at US Open
Video credit: SNTV
Home favourite Jessica Pegula’s bid for a maiden Grand Slam triumph remains on track after the American beat Diana Shnaider 6-4 6-2 to make the quarter-finals of the US Open.
The in-form Pegula needed one hour and 27 minutes to see off Shnaider on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Standing in her way of a first Grand Slam semi-final is world No. 1 Iga Swiatek or Liudmila Samsonova.
Alongside Emma Navarro, the 30-year-old is now carrying the weight of her country's expectation after defending champion Coco Gauff was eliminated.
"I feel like there's been more pressure this year because I did so well coming into this tournament so to still be here winning, I feel like today maybe is the best off the ground I have felt," Pegula said in her post-match interview.
"There is always a lot of pressure here but it's fun. It's nice, I like it."
It was not plain-sailing against her 20-year-old opponent, with the opening set taking 47 minutes to complete after Shnaider twice broke Pegula's serve.
The second set was a much-improved showing from Pegula as she took command of the match, facing just one break point which she saved.
"I feel like this is the first time I've played during the day, hot conditions," Pegula continued.
"I felt like we were returning really well if we didn't get some good first serves in.
"Having to hold onto my serve in some tough moments in that first set was really important and then I was able to stay aggressive on her returns."
Muchova's supreme form continues with Paolini win
Karolina Muchova’s blistering form continued with a straight-sets victory over Jasmine Paolini in just under 70 minutes.
Muchova - who beat Naomi Osaka in the second round - emerged victorious 6-3 6-3 on Louis Armstrong Stadium, meaning she has still not dropped a set in New York.
“The plan was try to play my game. I have to say I was a little bit nervous from the start,” the Czech said.
“It was a little bit windy as well, so I was trying to get my shots to feel the ball. She’s an incredible player and I’m just really happy it’s worked again for me here.”
It represents an incredible comeback for Muchova, who missed 10 months of action with a wrist injury after reaching the semi-finals of last year’s tournament.
“At the start of the summer I didn’t really think about what was going to happen,” she admitted.
“This was my worst and most serious injury but I love the sport so in my head I was like 'I’ll do everything I could to make it better and try', and here I am today.
“I’m really grateful for all the people who helped me and I’m just really happy.”
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As expected, the first set was a closely-fought affair. Paolini took her opponent’s serve, converting a break point on the third attempt.
But after reducing the number of unforced errors in her game, Muchova roared back and flipped the set in her favour with a double break, taking the first set in 36 minutes after winning five consecutive games.
Muchova assumed control in the second set and broke the Italian’s resistance in the ninth game before serving out for the match.
She can now look forward to a last-eight match with Beatriz Haddad Maia after the Brazilian got the better of Caroline Wozniacki 6-2 3-6 6-3 to reach her second Grand Slams quarter-final.
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