Prior to her campaign in New York, the American had struggled at Grand Slams in 2025, bowing out in the third and fourth round of the Australian Open and Roland Garros, respectively, before suffering a first-round exit at Wimbledon. <\/p>\n
At the US Open<\/a>, however, Pegula<\/a> enjoyed a hot run of form, which \u2018surprised\u2019 her coach, Mark Knowles. <\/p>\n Speaking to \u2018Tennis Channel\u2019, Knowles said: \u201cObviously, she had high expectations going into Wimbledon after winning that title in Bad Homburg, her third title of the season, you know, feeling very strong.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately, she had a tough loss in the opening round, but once again, you know, it was credit to her opponent, she lost to Cocciaretto, played terrific tennis. And then, obviously, it wasn\u2019t the summer that Jess expected.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, a different type of summer coming in with so many points to defend and just a different layout, right? Champion in Canada, Finals Cincinnati, finals in the Open.<\/p>\n \u201cI think for Jess is trying to kind of manage that and know what to expect. Maybe she\u2019s struggled a little bit with that.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, but also, we were working on a couple of things this summer, myself and Mark Merklein and the team trying to add to her game. <\/p>\n \u201cUltimately, you know, even though there were big events in the summer and she was defending things, we looked at it as every week was an opportunity, and more importantly, you know, kind of unfinished business in New York. That was really her goal.<\/p>\n \u201cListen, I mean, we were as surprised as anyone at the level that she was able to attain there in New York.\u201d<\/p>\n Knowles revealed: \u201cWe did have a rough day of practice leading in which, by the way, sometimes can be really good. I don\u2019t know if Shelby ever got upset, but, you know, I\u2019ve had one or two of those and some of my cohorts as well.<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes it can just let the steam out, but, you know, she got it together and I think it\u2019s testament to the type of player that she is, also the type of competitor that she is.<\/p>\n \u201cIt felt like the minute she played the first point this year at the open, it was a completely different Jess.<\/p>\n \u201cI spoke to Mark Merklin yesterday and we actually had a great discussion and I said, you know, I think semi-final match might be the best match I\u2019ve ever seen Jess playing.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, you know, that\u2019s where we\u2019re at. We walk away super positive, super excited for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n Jessica Pegula\u2019s dominant run at the 2025 US Open<\/p>\n After reaching the semifinals of the revamped mixed doubles tournament alongside Jack Draper<\/a>, Pegula kicked off her US Open singles campaign. <\/p>\n She swept aside Mayar Sherif and Anna Blinkova in the opening two rounds and overcame two-time major champion Victoria Azarenka in round three. <\/p>\n Pegula was faced with US compatriot Ann Li in the fourth round, who she dominated 6-1, 6-2 to set up a clash with Barbora Krejcikova in the quarterfinals. <\/p>\n![\"Jessica](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2233379901-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Al Bello\/Getty ImagesMark Knowles reflects on Jessica Pegula\u2019s US Open campaign<\/p>\n![\"Jessica](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2233755365-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Matthew Stockman\/Getty Images<\/p>\n