By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday February 27, 2024
Jessica Pegula returned to the court for the first time since the Australian Open with a win.
Photo Source: Getty
Jessica Pegula’s first match since her second-round loss to Clara Burel at the Australian Open was a resounding success. The 30-year-old American eased past Germany’s Jule Niemeier 6-0, 6-4 to reach the last eight at the Cymbiotika San Diego Open.
"I haven't played a tournament since Australian Open, so I knew I was going to be a little nervous and things were going to be weird," Pegula said, according to the WTA. "But then I came out playing really well. I don't think she was playing her best but I came out really strong.”
Pegula, who turned 30 on February 24, will face either Dayana Yastremska or Anna Blinkova in the last eight
She is entering a new phase of her career, having parted ways with longtime coach David Witt, the former coach of Venus Williams, after the Australian Open. Peguls is currently working with a pair or Marks, Mark Merklein and Mark Knowles.
In other action on Wednesday, Marta Kostyuk defeated Taylah Preston 6-4, 6-3, while Daria Saville topped Tatjana Maria 5-7 7-6(2) 6-2.
Saville saved a match point and reached her first quarterfinal since 2022.
In the upset of the day, Great Britain’s Katie Boulter defeated second-seeded Beatriz Hadda Maia 3-6 6-3 6-4.