Daijiworld Media Network - New York

New York, Sep 1: Jessica Pegula is back in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam, but this time it looks less like a hurdle and more like a stepping stone. The No. 4 seed eased into the last eight at the US Open with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 win over fellow American Ann Li on Sunday, wrapping up the match in just 54 minutes.

Pegula has yet to drop a set in this year’s tournament and has spent little time on court, rarely pushed beyond an hour. Once held back by her 0-6 record in Grand Slam quarterfinals, she broke through last year by stunning Iga Swiatek, eventually reaching the final before falling to Aryna Sabalenka.

She will next face either two-time Grand Slam winner Barbora Krejcikova or American Taylor Townsend in Tuesday’s clash.

For Li, ranked 58th, it was a tough outing in her maiden Grand Slam fourth-round appearance. She managed just five winners against 19 unforced errors, while Pegula broke her serve all four times in the first set alone.

Elsewhere, big names were also in action with Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka and Taylor Fritz scheduled to play. Coco Gauff was set to meet Naomi Osaka in a much-anticipated fourth-round battle — a rematch six years after Osaka beat a then-15-year-old Gauff. Wimbledon champions Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek are also eyeing quarterfinal spots as the draw narrows.