US Open 2024: Jessica Pegula vs Sofia Kenin preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (6) Jessica Pegula vs Sofia Kenin
Date: August 29, 2024
Tournament: US Open 2024
Round: Second Round (Round of 64)
Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, USA
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $75,000,000
Live Telecast: USA - ESPN | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN, RDS
Jessica Pegula vs Sofia Kenin preview
Americans Jessica Pegula and Sofia Kenin will clash in the second round of the US Open 2024.
Pegula was drawn to face compatriot Shelby Rogers in the first round, who previously announced her retirement following the conclusion of the tournament. The World No. 6 went down a break to fall behind 3-2 in the first set but was quick to correct the course.
Pegula swept four of the next five games to take the opener. She snagged an early break of serve to build a 3-0 lead in the second set. Rogers tried her best to cover up the deficit but couldn't do so, and the sixth seed won the match 6-4, 6-3.
Kenin took on Emma Raducanu, who won the US Open three years ago as a qualifier, in the opening round. The American wasn't challenged in the first set as she claimed it for the loss of only one game.
The pair traded service breaks to start the second round, although Raducanu eventually pulled ahead. She broke Kenin's serve twice to clinch the second set and force a decider.
The third set was closely contested, with Kenin securing the decisive break in the fifth game to go 3-2 up. Raducanu tried to clay her way back but the American kept her at bay to register a 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 victory.
Jessica Pegula vs Sofia Kenin head-to-head
The two have faced off twice on the WTA Tour, with Kenin leading Pegula 2-0 in the head-to-head. She won their previous encounter at the French Open 2021 in three sets.
Jessica Pegula vs Sofia Kenin odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Jessica Pegula vs Sofia Kenin prediction
Pegula made a solid start to her campaign with her win over Rogers. She won 75 percent of her first serve points and struck 16 winners against 20 unforced errors. She previously won the Canadian Open and reached the final of the Cincinnati Open in the past month.
Kenin was tested by Raducanu but fought past her to advance further. She blasted 45 winners and committed 40 unforced errors. The combination of serving out wide and then either wrong-footing her opponent or hitting into the open court worked quite well for her.
Kenin has won both of her matches on the WTA Tour against Pegula, and both went the distance. However, their careers have gone in opposite directions since then. The former has been replaced by the latter as one of top players in recent years.
Kenin does have wins over Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Ons Jabeur over the past year. However, her level varies from match to match, while Pegula tends to be more consistent. The latter has been in great form and will be expected to advance further.
Pick: Jessica Pegula to win in three sets.