Could’ve gone either way but I kept my intensity up: Jessica Pegula

Jessica Pegula returns to Iva Jovic during their clash on Sunday. Pic/AFP

American fourth seed Jessica Pegula reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the second time with a comeback victory over compatriot Iva Jovic in the last 16 on Sunday.

The 32-year-old World No. 4 showed her experience to defeat teenager and World No. 16 Jovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 on Court One and advance to the quarter-finals.

Pegula, who has never won a Grand Slam title, last played in the quarters at the All England Club in 2023 when she lost to eventual champion Marketa Vondrousova.

Reflecting on the match, Pegula said: "That was really tough. I know Iva is a top player with a lot of energy. I couldn't find my serve in the first set, but I wasn't playing badly. There were a lot of close games at the end, and it could have gone either way, but I kept my intensity in every point. I tried to not go for too many big shots and thankfully I was in the clear."

Interestingly, Pegula has also beaten Jovic on grass as well as on the hard court this season.

On Sunday, Jovic broke Pegula four times in the first set, as the veteran dropped a set for the first time at SW19 this year.

However, that appeared to spur a total turnaround for Pegula in the second set - She won 80 per cent points on her first serve and was broken only once.
She was equally dominant in the last set, closing out the match 6-1.

Two
No. of times Jessica Pegula has advanced to the quarter-finals at Wimbledon

Three
No. of times Jessica Pegula has beaten Iva Jovic on the WTA Tour this season

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