Jessica Pegula poised to make more career history at the U.S. Open. How to watch

Jessica Pegula already has made career history at the 2022 U.S. Open and is poised to make more.

On Monday, she achieved a career first when she advanced to the quarterfinal round of the tennis tournament by beating two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova 6-3, 6-2 during a match that included a 45-minute rain delay.

Wednesday evening, she’ll take on another first-time U.S. Open quarterfinalist, Iga Swiatek, at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens.

If Pegula, the 28-year-old daughter of Buffalo Bills and Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula, prevails, she will advance to her first Grand Slam semifinal.

How to watch Jessica Pegula vs. Iga Swiatek at U.S. Open

The match starts at 7 p.m. and will air on ESPN and the Tennis Channel.

At No. 8, Pegula, a Buffalo native now living in Florida, is the highest-ranked American player remaining in the Open.

Poland’s Swiatek is ranked No. 1 in the world.

The two have faced off three other times. In 2019, Pegula beat Swiatek in the second round of the Citi Open in Washington, D.C. Pegula won the tournament, capturing her first WTA title.

Earlier this year, Swiatek beat Pegula in straight sets in the semifinals of the Miami Masters and the quarterfinals of the French Open, which Swiatek went on to win.

In facing Swiatek at the Open, Pegula said at a Monday press conference that she likely would take more chances than she did in Paris, “especially playing her on a quicker hard court than the last time playing her on clay,” and added, “I think I just have to play within myself and play smart and be present.”

The Pegula family

Pegula said she’s not sure whether her father will travel to New York City to watch her play in person.

“I have my brother and sister here already,” said Pegula, who last October wed longtime boyfriend Taylor Gahagen. “So, I don’t really know if I made it to the final, let’s say, if he would come necessarily. But yeah, I don’t know. We’ll see.”

In June, the Pegula family announced that Kim Pegula, who grew up in Fairport, was in a Boca Raton hospital near the family home, undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed condition and asked for prayers and privacy.

Besides the Bills and the Sabres, the couple owns the Rochester Americans hockey team and the Buffalo Bandits and Rochester Knighthawks lacrosse teams.

Jessica Pegula turned pro in 2009 and made her Grand Slam singles debut at the 2015 U.S. Open as a qualifier.

From June: Jessica Pegula's Wimbledon match postponement not related to Kim Pegula's health issue.

From June: 'We all love her so much.' Bills open minicamp under cloud of concern for Kim Pegula.

Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments. Send story tips to mgreenwo@rocheste.gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @MarciaGreenwood.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Jessica Pegula poised to make career history at 2022 U.S. Open