Jessica Pegula remains on track at the National Bank Open.
The defending champion from the U.S. defeated American qualifier Ashlyn Krueger 6-2, 6-4 on Friday to advance to the quarterfinals at the Canadian tennis championship.
The 30-year-old from Buffalo, N.Y., was the beneficiary of nine double faults in a performance that saw her struggle with the conditions at times inside a windy Sobeys Stadium.
Pegula, the No. 3 seed, topped Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova in last year’s final in Montreal after also making the semis in both 2021 and 2022.
The 20-year-old Krueger upset No. 15 seed Leylah Fernandez of Laval, Que., on Thursday to eliminate the last remaining Canadian singles player in the draw — both in Toronto and at the men’s event in Montreal.
In other early matches, Taylor Townsend of the U.S. upset No. 4 Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia 6-2, 6-1 and No. 8 Emma Navarro of the U.S. beat No. 11 Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine 7-5, 7-5.
Amanda Anisimova of the U.S. also advanced as part of a hearty American quarterfinal contingent after No. 10 Anna Kalinskaya of Russia retired because of injury. Anisimova took the first set 6-2.
Krueger’s serve gave Fernandez fits Thursday, but she fired just two aces against Pegula less than 24 hours later.
Krueger double-faulted up 4-3 in the second set to gift Pegula a break before sending her return wide in the next game for a 5-4 deficit.
Pegula, who won doubles in Toronto with Gauff two years ago, then clinched the match on a shot that clipped the net before she raised a hand in acknowledgment and hugged her compatriot.
Pegula improved to 3-0 against Krueger after also topping the Dallas native 6-0, 6-2 at Wimbledon last month. She also downed Czechia’s Karolina Pliskova in straight sets to open her NBO title defence Wednesday.
Coming off a second-round showing at the Paris Olympics, Pegula improved to 14-2 all-time at Canada’s title event.
Townsend’s unlikely run continued after she made the women’s bracket as an injury replacement before No. 16 seed Dayana Yastremska retired in the second set of their match Tuesday.
The 71st-ranked American then steamrolled Marina Stakusic of Mississauga, Ont., by a count of 6-0, 6-2 on Thursday.
Top seed Coco Gauff of the U.S. was scheduled to take on No. 14 Diana Shnaider of Russia in Friday’s evening session, while No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus took on Great Britain’s Katie Boulter.
Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski and partner Erin Routliffe of New Zealand were slated to hit the doubles court for their first action in Toronto this year later Friday.
Dabrowski is coming off an Olympic bronze alongside Montreal’s Felix Auger-Aliassime to end Canada’s 24-year medal drought in tennis at the Games.
Jessica Pegula continued her impressive run at the National Bank Open, advancing to the quarterfinals as the defending champion. Pegula, who won the title in 2020, has been in top form throughout the tournament, showcasing her skill and determination on the court.
In her latest match, Pegula faced tough competition from her opponent but managed to come out on top with a strong performance. Her powerful groundstrokes and aggressive playstyle have been key factors in her success, allowing her to dominate her opponents and secure important victories.
Pegula’s success at the National Bank Open is a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport. As a rising star in women’s tennis, she has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with on the court, consistently delivering impressive performances and making a name for herself among the top players in the world.
With her advancement to the quarterfinals, Pegula is now one step closer to defending her title and adding another prestigious trophy to her collection. Fans and tennis enthusiasts alike are eagerly anticipating her upcoming matches, as she continues to showcase her talent and compete at the highest level.
As Pegula continues her journey at the National Bank Open, all eyes will be on her as she looks to make history and solidify her status as one of the top players in women’s tennis. Her determination and skill on the court make her a formidable opponent, and she is sure to put on a show for fans as she competes for another title at this prestigious tournament.