Jessica Pegula opens US Open campaign with win, setting up all-American second round

Jessica Pegula began her 2026 US Open campaign with a straightforward victory on the New York stage where she grew up wanting to succeed. The third seed defeated Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 6-2 in 83 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Pegula controlled the hard-court match with a combination of power, accuracy and consistency from the baseline. She created 17 break-point chances and converted four of them, keeping Ruse under pressure throughout the contest.

“I was very nervous today. The first round of a Grand Slam is always like that, but opening the action on Arthur Ashe Stadium felt great and was a great honor,” Pegula said.

The win gave Pegula her 46th victory of the season. She is making her 10th US Open appearance and reached the final in 2024, giving the New York native another run at the tournament’s title.

Her next opponent will also be American. Pegula will face the winner of a match between 46-year-old former champion Venus Williams and 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin.

Pegula grew up in Buffalo, in western New York. Her father, Terry Pegula, made his fortune in oil and gas and owns the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and NHL’s Buffalo Sabres. The article presents Jessica Pegula as low-key and steady despite her family wealth, emphasizing that she has built her own career in the highly competitive professional tennis circuit.

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I was very nervous today. The first round of a Grand Slam is always like that, but opening the action on Arthur Ashe Stadium felt great and was a great honor.