Pegula jumps on Li nerves to reach US Open quarters

US Open 2025

Dates: August 24 through September 7 in Flushing Meadows, New York

American Jessica Pegula made the most of compatriot Ann Li’s early jitters and cruised to a comfortable victory in the US Open quarter-finals.

Fourth seed Pegula needed only 54 minutes to defeat Li 6-1, 6-2, to maintain her hopes of winning her first career Grand Slam.

The 31-year-old has not played her best tennis this summer since suffering a humiliating first-round exit at Wimbledon, according to her own admission.

Pegula, who won the championship at Flushing Meadows 12 months ago, looked much more in tune with her best on Sunday, breaking Li six times to win.

Pegula compared Li to Li, who she defeated in a much tighter match at the French Open back in May, saying, “I know when she’s serving well and has confidence she’s really dangerous.”

Despite having 58 aces in her first three matches and having 22 in her second, Li represented a potentially difficult opponent.

After winning the coin toss, the 25-year-old appeared confident, but Pegula quickly broke.

After making 10 unforced errors in the first set and winning just 8% of her second serves in the second set, Pegula appeared to have raised her game in response.

Pegula made a conscious effort to move to the net as well as always, even as she did on the baseline. In contrast, Li frequently avoided Pegula’s potent strokes in an effort to keep up.

“I felt really at ease moving in today and entering at the right times; it didn’t always feel that way,” Pegula said. “I wanted to carry that forward until the last game.

“It’s a component of my game that I can really use as a weapon. I occasionally get stuck at the back because of how well I perform there, but our coaches are pleased when I finish my overhead and volleys.