Jessica Pegula begins U.S. Open with win

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Jessica Pegula advanced to the second round of the U.S. Open by defeating familiar foe Shelby Rogers in straight sets in Tuesday’s nightcap at Flushing Meadows.

It was likely the final professional match for Rogers, a 31-year-old from South Carolina, before the tournament. Rogers called the Buffalo-born, 30-year-old Pegula “one of the nicest people on tour,” in her post-match comments. “There’s not many people I’d rather share this moment with.”

Pegula gave Rogers a hug during her tearful on-court interview following the 6-4, 6-3 victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“I remember playing 16-and-unders Southerns with her, and now we’re here, and I think that’s so cool,” Pegula said. “We grew up playing juniors together, in the same section, and now we get to play a night match in Ashe.”

Pegula, a six-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist, gained momentum going into the U.S. Open by winning her sixth WTA title in Toronto and reaching the final in Cincinnati. She will next face 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in the second round Thursday.

“I knew, coming into this match, there was a lot of challenges and a lot of weird variables on my plate—playing an American, playing Shelby, knowing it could be her last match, coming in on a great couple of weeks and all of a sudden turning into one of the favorites when my year hasn’t been that great has been kind of crazy,” Pegula said. “I’m happy I was able to deal with all that tonight and hopefully I can keep improving as the tournament goes on.”

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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here .