"The first set was super awkward" - Pegula on victory over Andreescu in Madrid

Jessica Pegula resumed her stellar run at WTA 1000 tournaments, reaching at least the quarterfinals in seven of the last 11 after defeating Bianca Andreescu in the round of 16 at the Madrid Open.

Pegula prevailed 7-5 6-1 in a rain-interrupted encounter on Tuesday, avenging her previous loss to the Canadian at the 2019 Newport Beach 125 final, the pair's only previous meeting. After an up-and-down first set that saw the American squander 14 break point opportunities, she was finally able to close out the first set when Andreescu returned from a medical timeout to deal with a nosebleed. 

The second set saw Pegula drop serve in the opening game, but she would go on to win six consecutive games and secure her spot in the quarterfinals.

"I felt like the first set was super-awkward - no one could really take control with all the chances," admitted Pegula. "Three for 17 on break points is an insane stat, that has to be a record. So that was interesting. But I was mentally able to stay in it and win the set. But it was awkward, I think we were both super on edge."

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The 28-year old faces Sara Sorribes Tormo in the quarterfinal, as the Spaniard overcame Daria Kasatkina in a close, three-set encounter earlier in the day.

"You just have to expect every ball to come back. What she does so great is she plays every point so tough, it doesn't matter the score," said Pegula on facing Sorribes Tormo. "You just expect that, and do your best to do the same thing. Just staying focused, getting your strategy right and not getting frustrated is probably the most important, but easier said than done."