Jessica Pegula into US Open quarterfinals after blasting Diana Shnaider

The narrative that Jessica Pegula is a jack of all trades but a master of none is false. She might hit the hardest of any player on the WTA tour, but she isn't a puncher either. Her forehand and topspin are huge problems for her opponents. One does not reach the top five of the rankings by accident.

On Monday at the US Open against overwhelmed Diana Shnaider, Pegula was her normally steady self and did not beat herself, but she was also the more aggressive and bombastic player in winning 6-4 6-2. The American seems to have changed her tempo a bit recently and it's working. She also gained some momentum heading into the US Open by winning the Canadian Open and being a finalist in Cincinnati.

Of Pegula's six career titles, two have come this year. She is clearly playing with as much confidence as she ever has and she should be. Still, she has to face a mental wall in her next match.

Jessica Pegula reaches the quarterfinals of the US Open after defeating Diana Shnaider

That is because even though Pegula has been a successful singles and doubles player, she has never made it past the quarterfinals in singles at any Grand Slam event. She missed the French Open this year but was bounced out in the second round at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon. She did make the quarterfinals at the US Open in 2022.

Very likely, in Pegula's next match, she will play top-seed Iga Swiatek. Swiatek still has to win her fourth-round match against Liudmila Samsonova, but the Pole will be a heavy favorite. Swiatek won the US Open in 2022.

Pegula and Swiatek have been among the best players on the WTA tour for several years, and they played one another nine times. Swiatek has won six of the meetings. They have not played in 2024.

More tennis news and analysis: