Jessica Pegula shakes off nerves to win her opening match at the US Open vs. Elena-Gabriela Ruse

NEW YORK — Third-ranked Jessica Pegula shook off nerves that contributed to a slow start against Elena-Gabriela Ruse, winning her opening match at the U.S. Open on Sunday in straight sets.

Leading off at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 32-year-old American missed her first nine opportunities to break Ruse but found a rhythm and began dominating. Coming off a trip to the final at the Cincinnati Open, which she lost to Coco Gauff, Pegula won 92% of her first-serve points on the way to a 6-3, 6-2 victory in 83 minutes.

"I was so nervous," Pegula said. "I was like sending GIFs of what I felt like. It was GIFs of people freaking out and stuff. ... The first round of a slam, there's always a ton of nerves."

Pegula next faces the winner of the match between Venus Williams and fellow wild card Sofia Kenin. They're set to play in the nightcap at Ashe, and Williams and sister Serena are scheduled to play doubles together.

Nineteenth-seeded Jasmine Paolini also advanced in women's singles, defeating Veronika Erjavec 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Kamilla Rakhimova beat No. 27 seed Barbora Krejcikova 7-6 (4), 6-2.

On the men's side, Daniil Medvedev was up next at Ashe against Hugo Gaston. Novak Djokovic begins his quest for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title on Sunday night against Mariano Navone.

Djokovic at 39 most recently lost his opening match earlier this month at Cincinnati.

___

See AP's full tennis coverage here

Related topics