Jessica Pegula routs Ann Li to return to U.S. Open quarterfinals

Fourth-seeded Jessica Pegula is making another deep run at the U.S. Open and she claimed her spot in the quarterfinals Sunday with an easy 6-1, 6-2 victory over fellow American Ann Li in New York.

Pegula converted 6 of 9 break points and needed just 54 minutes to subdue Li, who committed 19 unforced errors while playing in Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time.

Pegula, a 2024 finalist, is getting used to being on the big stage in New York.

"I've obviously kind of earned that right over the years," the 31-year-old Pegula said of playing in Ashe. "When I was younger, I never hit on Ashe, I never played on Ashe. I was always on another court, Court 17 or maybe Grandstand if I was lucky. That's definitely changed.

"Specifically here being an American, I have played a lot there now. Maybe against someone that hasn't gotten a lot of reps on that court, I think it is a little bit like a home-court advantage."

Pegula will next face the winner of the match scheduled for later Sunday between two-time Grand Slam winner Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic and soaring Taylor Townsend.

This marks the third time Pegula has advanced to at least the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open. She lost to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in last season's title match and also reached the quarters in 2022.

On Sunday, Pegula outclassed the 25-year-old Li and was highly effective at the net by winning 12 of 15 points.

"It's a part of my game I can use as a weapon," Pegula said. "We've definitely worked on that a lot. They're really happy when I can finish a point with an overhead or a volley at the net."

Pegula won the first three games of the match while sailing through the first set. It was more of the same in the second as she won four of the first five games before finishing off the match.

This represents Li's furthest advance at a Grand Slam tourney. She was eliminated in the third round of the 2020 U.S. Open.

--Field Level Media