Jessica Pegula breezed through her US Open opener against Elena-Gabriela Ruse in straight sets, though the third-ranked American needed time to settle her nerves early on. The slow start didn't derail her. Once Pegula found her rhythm, she controlled the match and advanced without drama.
The opening-round jitters are typical at the year's final Grand Slam, even for players seeded high. Pegula's ability to shake off the early rust and impose her game speaks to her experience at this level. She's a medal contender here, and performances like this one, where she weatheres the opening awkwardness and pulls away decisively, are exactly what the draw expects from her seeding.