Jessica Pegula mounts comeback against Marketa Vondrousova, reaches Roland Garros fourth round

Jessica Pegula advanced to the fourth round of Roland Garros after overcoming 2019 finalist Marketa Vondrousova with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory. The American staged a comeback, battling through a very tough second set, to reach the second week of the French Open for the second time in her career.

Vondrousova – 2023 Wimbledon champion and 2019 Roland Garros finalist – was playing at a good level, despite this being her first tournament in months after a long injury recovery process. Although she had the upper hand against Pegula early on, she couldn't maintain her level until the end of the match.

The first set was decided in the crucial moments after both players started well on their service games. A couple of break opportunities for the Czech in the fifth game allowed her to be the first to take the lead. Vondrousova was particularly effective on her first serve, winning 89% of those points – compared to just 53% for Pegula.

The Czech had not faced any break points and never truly looked in trouble on her serve. With the score at 5-3 in her favor, she capitalized on the tense moments to secure a second break and the set at 6-3, surprising the world No. 3.

However, things changed in the second set. Vondrousova went from an almost impeccable service effectiveness to looking vulnerable, with her first serve winning percentage dropping from 89% to a poor 35%. Although both started the set with a break, Pegula continued to press on return – achieving three consecutive breaks to take a 5-1 lead.

The American squandered a set point on return, which boosted Vondrousova, who seized the momentum of the match. With little to lose at that point, she went on the offensive, getting a break back and bringing the score to 4-5, saving four set points along the way. Nevertheless, Pegula managed to close out the set on her serve, on her seventh set point (after missing two more in the final game). The American took the set 6-4, pushing the match to a decider.

The third set was a rollercoaster, with both players struggling on their serves. A couple of cross-court breaks kept the score even at 2-2, but then it was Pegula who showed conviction in the final part of the match. The 2024 US Open finalist secured two consecutive breaks (converting both break points she had) – and had no problems on her serve, closing out the victory with four straight games for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 win.

Pegula – who is not defending any points during this tournament – will now wait to find out her next opponent, a first-timer in the fourth round, as she will face the winner of the clash between local wildcards Elsa Jacquemot and Lois Boisson, two 22-year-old players with no previous appearances in the second week of a Grand Slam.