Jessica Pegula, the world No. 4 and last year’s U.S. Open finalist, delivered a statement win to open her 2025 campaign at Flushing Meadows, defeating Egypt’s Mayar Sherif 6-0, 6-4 in a night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday. After a challenging summer marked by early exits and only two match wins in her last four events, Pegula’s return to the courts of New York seemed to spark a resurgence, as she cruised into the second round with a blend of dominance and resilience.
The Buffalo native wasted absolutely no time in stamping her authority on the match. In front of a supportive late-night crowd, Pegula blitzed through the opening set in just 21 minutes, conceding only 10 points and giving Sherif little room to breathe. The first set’s scoreline—6-0—reflected the American’s clinical precision and her ability to dictate play from the baseline, a trait that propelled her to the final here last year.
But tennis rarely follows a script, and the second set brought a twist. Sherif, ranked No. 102 and Egypt’s most successful singles player in the Open Era, regrouped and found her range. The Egyptian broke early to surge ahead 4-1, threatening to extend the match and perhaps even plant the seeds of an upset. Yet, Pegula, showing the grit that made her a household name in American tennis, rallied with remarkable composure. She reeled off five consecutive games, flipping the set on its head and sealing victory in one hour and 15 minutes.
“I’m not really a fan of it. I don’t know why they had to make it even longer. Well, I know why they did it—they get to sell tickets for an extra day,” Pegula said about the U.S. Open’s new 15-day schedule, echoing the sentiment of many players who feel their input is often overlooked. “A lot of times, they ask for player feedback and when we do (respond), they don’t listen to anything we say. The way they go about announcing these things, sometimes players aren’t aware.” According to Pegula, she and 19 other players had even signed a letter in March urging Grand Slam organizers to improve communication, contribute more to player welfare, and provide a greater share of the sport’s growing revenues.
Despite her off-court frustrations, Pegula’s focus on the court was unshakable. Her victory over Sherif not only marks a positive start to her quest for a maiden Grand Slam title but also helps her defend crucial ranking points from last year’s run to the final—a run that included a signature win over then-world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals. Pegula ultimately fell to Aryna Sabalenka in a closely contested championship match, but her performance cemented her status as one of the elite players on the WTA Tour.
For Sherif, the defeat continues a string of first-round exits at Grand Slam events this season. Still, her presence on the sport’s biggest stages is a testament to her trailblazing role in Egyptian tennis. While she has yet to advance beyond the second round at the U.S. Open, Sherif’s tenacity and experience make her a dangerous floater in any draw.
Pegula’s path forward won’t get any easier. Next up is Russia’s Anna Blinkova, who dispatched Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-3, 6-1 in her opening match. Blinkova, ranked inside the top 50, is a seasoned competitor with a reputation for pushing top seeds to their limits. Their upcoming clash, scheduled for Wednesday, promises to test Pegula’s consistency and stamina—especially given the expanded tournament schedule that has drawn criticism from players across the board.
The U.S. Open’s decision to start singles play on Sunday instead of the traditional Monday, aligning with changes made by the French and Australian Opens, has been met with mixed reactions. Tournament officials point to increased prize money—now a record $85 million, with $5 million awarded to each singles champion—and expanded opportunities for fans as justification for the change. “Adding a 15th day of singles not only can provide more fans the opportunity to see main draw singles competition in person, but also gives fans around the globe the opportunity to watch on television on a weekend day and night,” said USTA spokesman Brendan McIntyre.
Still, the extended calendar has had tangible effects on players, especially those who compete deep into tournaments the week before a Slam. Pegula, who also played mixed doubles last week, noted the physical and mental toll such a schedule can take. “It makes everything a little longer and a little harder. I don’t think a lot of players want that,” she said, voicing the concerns of many in the locker room.
Elsewhere at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the opening day of the tournament was packed with drama and upsets. Jasmine Paolini, the No. 7 seed, survived a spirited challenge from Australian qualifier Destanee Aiava to win 6-2, 7-6(4), while Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima staged a miraculous comeback, saving seven match points to defeat Olga Danilovic in a three-hour, nine-minute thriller. Rising Czech star Tereza Valentova marked her U.S. Open main draw debut with a hard-fought victory over Lucia Bronzetti, and former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova held off a late charge from Oksana Selekhmeteva.
For Pegula, though, the focus is squarely on the task ahead. With her first-round nerves settled and the New York crowd firmly in her corner, she aims to recapture the magic of last year’s run and finally break through for that elusive Grand Slam crown. The road is long and the draw is stacked, but if Sunday night is any indication, Jessica Pegula is ready to fight for every point, every match, and perhaps, for her biggest title yet.
The U.S. Open action continues under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe, and all eyes will be on Pegula as she gears up for her next challenge. The journey has only just begun, but the American’s opening statement has set the tone for what could be another memorable fortnight in New York.
