Jessica Pegula continues incredible form, drops just two games en route to Stuttgart Open Quarter-Finals
Jessica Pegula returned to action in style at the Stuttgart Open, sweeping aside Magdalena Frech with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 win to book her place in the quarterfinals.
Having taken a break during last week’s Billie Jean King Cup, Pegula showed no signs of rust. In fact, her performance underlined her red-hot form — this victory marks six wins in a row for the American, who will next face Ekaterina Alexandrova on Saturday.
Pegula, who recently defended points in Charleston, enters this stretch of the season with little to defend — a significant opportunity to climb the rankings. If Iga Swiatek falters, Pegula could realistically challenge for the World No.2 spot in the coming months.
Remarkably, this is Pegula’s debut appearance in Stuttgart, yet she looked right at home on the indoor clay. While Coco Gauff, Emma Navarro, and Jasmine Paolini are also progressing on her side of the draw, Pegula could soon face a potential clash with either Navarro or Swiatek — unless Jelena Ostapenko, who has had Swiatek’s number before, intervenes.
Elsewhere, Paolini also impressed, beating Jule Niemeier 6-1, 7-5 to set up a quarterfinal against the winner of Gauff vs. Seidel. That section of the draw could lead to a blockbuster semifinal between Aryna Sabalenka and Gauff.
Due to Good Friday, there will be no play on Saturday, so Pegula’s next match will take place with ample rest behind her and momentum firmly on her side. Alexandrova advanced after a surprise win over Mirra Andreeva, reshaping the draw.
Match Stats: Pegula vs. Frech
| Stat | Magdalena Frech | Jessica Pegula |
|---|---|---|
| Aces | 1 | 1 |
| Double Faults | 2 | 2 |
| 1st Serve % | 44% (19/43) | 77% (23/30) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 37% (7/19) | 87% (20/23) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 46% (11/24) | 75% (6/8) |
| Break Points Saved | 0% (0/5) | N/A |
| Service Games Won | 29% (2/7) | 100% (6/6) |
| 1st Return Points Won | 13% (3/23) | 63% (12/19) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 25% (2/8) | 54% (13/24) |
| Match Duration | 57 minutes | 57 minutes |
With Gauff and Paolini potentially colliding in the semifinals and Swiatek on Pegula’s side of the draw, the tournament is heating up fast. But if Pegula continues this level of play, she may not just be contending for the title — she could be laying the groundwork for her rise to No.2 in the world.
