Jessica
Pegula had no difficulties in defeating Cristina Bucsa in the second round of
2023
Wimbledon with a score of 6-3, 6-4.
The world
No. 4 reached the second round after a three-set victory over her compatriot
Lauren Davis. Throughout her career, Wimbledon has been the Grand Slam that has
brought Pegula the least success, as she has only reached the third round once:
in 2021, where she was eliminated by Croatian player Petra Martic.
Awaiting
her in the second round was world No. 78 Cristina Bucsa, a Spanish specialist
on clay who had won her first-round match against Kamila Rakhimova in three
sets, ending a streak of three consecutive first-round losses on grass.
The first
set took only 23 minutes for the American player, who had a 63% first-serve
accuracy, winning 73% of those points, and 78% of the points played on her
second serve. Pegula was more effective in crucial points, as she converted
both of the break points she had, and saved all three break points against her.
In the
second set, Pegula once again started strongly, securing early breaks in the
second and fourth games, while also holding her own service games to take a 4-0
lead in a matter of minutes. However, Bucsa made a comeback and brought the set
to 4-5, even saving two match points.
The
favorite, Pegula, raised her consistency and successfully defended her final
service game to close out the match against the Spanish player with a score of
6-3, 6-4. The American hit 14 winners and had 17 unforced errors, and she won
only 50% of the points at the net.
In the
third round, Pegula will face Italian player Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who
advanced through the first two rounds by defeating Camila Osorio and Rebeka
Masarova, both in straight sets. A victory would surpass Pegula's previous best
result of reaching the third round at the All England Club.