Jessica Pegula begins her quest for a third victory on the WTA tour this year when she faces Anastasia Potapova in the Wuhan Open round of 32 on Wednesday.
At the China Open earlier this month, Pegula was eliminated by Paula Badosa in straight sets 4-6 0-6, while Potapova came from behind to defeat Katie Volynets in her previous match at this tournament 5-7 6-3 7-5.
Match preview
© Imago
Fresh off an early exit at the China Open, Jessica Pegula continues to seek her first tournament victory in Asia since capturing the Hanna Bank Open in October of last year.
On that occasion, she defeated Yue Yuan in straight sets, but the American has lost in the final in two of her previous three WTA events, losing the US Open final versus Aryna Sabalenka.
Her last tour victory occurred on the hard court at the National Bank Open in August, defeating Amanda Anisimova in the final, while the American has not lost an opening match on that surface in her last four tournament appearances.
Pegula has had her service game working well throughout the year, winning 67.3 of her first serves and claiming 73.2% of her first serve games.
Her powerful serve has been on display for all to see, with the American hitting 162 aces in 2024, but she has also committed 112 double faults.
In 47 matches played this year, she has won over half of her second return points (56.8%) but has won fewer than 40% (36.9%) of her return games.
© Imago
After a difficult start to her opening match at this tournament, Anastasia Potapova came on strong in the final two sets and advanced.
The 23-year-old Russian committed 13 double faults but made up for that with a strong return game, winning 10 of her 15 break point opportunities.
Unforced errors have been her undoing throughout the 2024 campaign, with Potapova putting up 219 double faults with only 109 aces.
She has been knocked out in the round of 32 or earlier in her previous two tournaments on tour and is looking to go beyond that stage for the first time since losing to McCartney Kessler in the semi-finals of the Tennis in the Land event in August.
So far this year, Potapova has won just over 65% (65.9%) of her first serves while winning 66.3% of her service games in 2024.
A strong forehand has kept her in matches, converting 42.6% of her break points in 2024 and winning over 50% (54.4%) of her second return points.
Tournament so far
Potapova:
Round of 64: vs. Katie Volynets 5-7 6-3 7-5
Head To Head
Qatar Total Open (2021) - Qualifier 2: Pegula wins 6-2 6-7 7-6
US Open (2021) - First Round: Pegula wins 6-2 6-2
BNP Paribas Open (2023) - Third Round: Pegula wins 3-6 6-4 7-5
Miami Open (2023) - Quarter-finals: Pegula wins 4-6 6-3 7-6
The first meeting between these two in Qatar saw Pegula emerge victorious on account of winning 47% of her break points and 62% of her first serves.
At Flushing Meadows later in the year, the American was overpowering on serve, winning 73% of her first serves, along with five of her eight break point chances.
In March 2023, the young Russian committed countless errors, registering nine double faults while winning 51% of her second serves, while Pegula won 61% of hers.
We say: Pegula to win in two sets
Even though she exited her previous tournament earlier than anticipated, there is much more to like about Pegula's game than Potapova's, as the American has been much cleaner overall.
Joel Lefevre
