ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Jessica Pegula has fans and support here in Buffalo nearly 400 miles from her US Open Quarterfinal match Wednesday night.
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott began his Wednesday news conference by shouting out the daughter of team owners Terry and Kim Pegula.
“I want to start off by wishing Jessie Pegula good luck today as she takes the court,” he said.
Ranked No. 6 in the world, Pegula hopes to reach her first major semifinal of her career and continue her hot stretch of play; she has won 13 of her previous 14 matches. Pegula is coming off an Aug. 12 National Bank Open tournament win in Toronto and reached the Cincinnati Open finals on Aug. 19 before losing to No. 3-ranked Aryna Sabalenka.
McDermott said he admired Pegula's achievements and that she has fans here in Western New York.
“Amazing what she’s been able to accomplish and we're all pulling for her. I know every fan of the Buffalo Bills is pulling for her and probably half the country as well,” he added.
Wednesday’s test for Pegula is not an easy one. She is facing the No. 1-ranked tennis player in the world, Iga Swiatek. In the 2022 U.S. Open Quarterfinals, the two faced off with Swiatek defeating Pegula on her way to the U.S. Open title.
Now in the same position as two years ago, Pegula aims to advance. This time, she has Buffalo Bills faithful in her corner.
“Phenomenal job that she’s done and we wish her well today and tonight as she takes the court,” said McDermott.
Wednesday's 7 p.m. match is Pegula's seventh Grand Slam quarterfinal. She hopes to advance to the semifinals for the first time in her career.
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