Is This The Year Jessica Pegula Can Finally Win A US Open Title?

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON, August 30, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)

If there’s one word to describe American No. 1 Jessica Pegula, it’s “consistent.”

This year, Pegula has won two WTA Tour singles titles – at Dubai on a hard court and at Charleston on green clay – and has reached three finals, at Berlin, Washington, D.C., and Cincinnati. On the eve of the US Open, she lost to World No. 4 Coco Gauff, her sometimes doubles partner, at the Cincinnati Open after edging out former World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals.

The 32-year-old daughter of Terry and Kim Pegula, owners of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and a native of the New York’s second-most populous city, Pegula has strung together 11 WTA Tour singles and seven WTA Tour doubles titles in her pro career, which began in 2009. Her career win-loss record stands at 532-283. She has accumulated more than $25 million in prize money, which places her among the Top-20 players all time.

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However, as the World No. 3 Pegula readies to open play on Arthur Ashe Stadium Sunday afternoon against 63rd-ranked Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania to kick off the 2026 US Open, she’s still in search of her first Grand Slam singles title. Pegula was a finalist two years ago, losing to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus. In the other majors, her best result was a semifinal finish at this year’s Australian Open. She reached the quarterfinals at Roland-Garros in 2022 and twice has been a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon (2023, 2026).

“I remember the atmosphere being amazing,” Pegula said during her Media Day pre-tournament news conference on Friday, reflecting on her 2024 US Open title loss to Sabalenka, 7-5, 7-5.

The breakthrough continues for Jessica Pegula! pic.twitter.com/q4RkTahpyo

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 6, 2024

“The roof was closed because of the weather, so it seemed really, really loud. I remember it being up and down, a little bit of momentum swings.

“Looking back, I think I’m a much better player now,” Pegula added. “I think I’m doing a lot of things better now. That doesn’t necessarily mean I’m going to do them better all the time, but I do think there are things I’ve improved since that final. I would love to get myself back into that position.”

Pegula, who is coached by Mark Merklein and Mark Knowles, has always been excelled on the tennis court because of her exceptional tactical intelligence coupled with her precise-ball-striking skills and a remarkable match-to-match consistency.

If Pegula beats Ruse, her road to a potential first major title could include playing American wild card Sofia Kenin in the second round, No. 31 seed and 2021 US Open finalist Leyla Fernandez of Canada in the third round and No. 16 seed Sorana Cirstea of Romania in the fourth round. Then, she would like have to beat No. 7 seed and Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova of Czechia in the quarterfinals, defending champion Sabalenka in the semifinals and No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the final.

Pegula’s possible path to the 🏆⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Brq0aqU9LY

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 27, 2026

If it seems like Pegula is having a career this year, one wouldn’t be wrong in making that assessment. However, the same could be said about 2025, in which she won three titles and reached the finals three other times.

Pegula has been a steady presence in the WTA Rankings, landing in the Top 10 in each of the past four years. Thanks to her steady and improving play, she leads the WTA Tour in match victories this season with 45.

Unlike in the past, this time Pegula has plenty of incentive to do well. That’s because the World No. 1 ranking currently held by Sabalenka is up for grabs during the US Open. Sabalenka, for one, has been in a rut after having reached just one semifinal in her last seven tournaments. For Pegula to become No. 1, she would need to win the US Open championship and hope that Rybakina loses before the semifinals. It could happen. After all, in a season in which every single player in the WTA Top 10 possesses either a Grand Slam title or a WTA 1000 title, the competition to dethrone Sabalenka from the top is both fierce and competitive.

“You can just see how the depth is pretty crazy,” Pegula said. “I think everyone has been very consistent in that aspect. It makes it hard to a certain extent, but at least you know there’s not one or two super dominant players where you feel like they have to lose in order for you to have a chance. You can look at it both ways.”