With Coco Gauff: Jessica Pegula led the American charge at Roland Garros on Thursday with a hard-fought 6-3, 7-6(3) win over compatriot Ann Li, marking her 30th match victory of the season. It was a determined performance from the world No. 3, who held her nerve in a tense second set to reach the third round of the French Open for the third time in her career.
The 31-year-old broke Li three times and saved six of seven break points in a contest that began with Li racing to a 2-0 lead in the first set. But Pegula quickly wrestled back control, showcasing her trademark baseline consistency and mental resilience. After levelling the score, she dictated terms from the back of the court and stormed through six of the next seven games to seal the set.
The second set was a different battle altogether. There were no breaks of serve through the first eight games, and Li, ranked 55th in the world, had two golden opportunities to break at 4-4. But Pegula responded like a seasoned champion—first with a breathtaking running forehand down the line, and then with a powerful serve that set up a clear winner.
