Jessica Pegula kept her bid to become world No.1 on track with a dominant win over fellow American Sofia Kenin, while Daniil Medvedev reached the third round and Paula Badosa progressed to the second round at the US Open on Wednesday.
Third seed Pegula needed only 56 minutes to beat Kenin 6-3, 6-1 on Arthur Ashe Stadium, delivering a composed display as she continued her pursuit of a first Grand Slam title.
Pegula was especially strong on serve, dropping just three points behind her first serve and never facing a break point. After securing the opening set, she surged through the second by taking the first five games before sealing a comfortable victory.
The result keeps Pegula's hopes of reaching the top of the WTA rankings alive. She will become world No.1 for the first time if she wins the US Open and Elena Rybakina fails to reach the semi-finals.
Pegula's next opponent will be Canada's Leylah Fernandez, who reached the third round after defeating Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew 6-4, 6-1. Fernandez was the US Open runner-up in 2021.
MEDVEDEV MARCHES INTO THIRD ROUND
Seventh seed Daniil Medvedev continued to look at ease on the New York hard courts, defeating American wildcard Sebastian Gorzny 6-1, 6-3, 7-5.
The Russian made a fast start, wrapping up the opening set after just seven games and maintaining control of the rallies from well behind the baseline. His ability to handle his opponent's pace, change direction and prolong exchanges left Gorzny struggling to find a way through.
The 22-year-old American, ranked No.731 in the world, entered the match full of confidence after an impressive first-round win. However, Medvedev presented a much tougher challenge. Although Gorzny managed to make the third set more competitive, the former champion regained control and finished the match in straight sets.
Medvedev's third-round opponent will be decided by the second-round clash between Jaume Munar and Arthur Rinderknech.
BADOSA SETS UP GAUFF CLASH
Paula Badosa also advanced with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Daria Kasatkina. The Spaniard, a former world No.2 and quarter-finalist at the 2024 US Open, remained in control for most of the match despite a rain interruption.
Her victory has set up a high-profile second-round clash against fourth seed and 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff. Gauff had earlier booked her place in the round with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Zeynep Sonmez.
For Pegula, the path is straightforward: continue winning and her chance to claim the world's No.1 ranking will remain within reach.
