Paris, May 31 (UNI) Third seed Jessica Pegula advanced to the third round at Roland-Garros in an easier than expected manner on Wednesday after her opponent, Camila Giorgi, withdrew at the end of the first set.
The American was leading 6-2 and looked in total control when the Italian decided she was unable to carry on.
Pegula will now play No. 28 seed Elise Mertens in the third round.
Giorgi’s withdrawal brought an abrupt end to the encounter but Pegula, who has reached the quarters at four of the past five slams, was in dominant mood and looked well set to run away to a straight-sets victory.
A big forehand in the opening game set the tone and though Giorgi saved a couple of break points, a double-fault handed Pegula an immediate break.
As in the first few days of the tournament, a swirling wind accompanied the sunshine but Pegula seemed unaffected, timing the ball beautifully and never allowing Giorgi to dominate the rallies the way she likes to.
Giorgi’s power is usually enough to force errors from most opponents but Pegula’s depth and court coverage was so good that the Italian was consistently on the back foot.
A backhand that clipped the net and went long sealed a hold for Pegula to consolidate the break and lead 2-0.
The American, who secured a first-round victory over compatriot Danielle Collins, showed nice touch, too, keeping Giorgi off balance; her drop shot proving particularly effective. A clever slice backhand winner gave her a second break as she took control of the opening set.
Giorgi was under constant pressure on serve; any miss of first serve spelled trouble for the Italian. Two crisp backhand winners set up another break-point chance at 4-0 but the Italian held on to get on the board.
Pegula, however, was in a nice rhythm on serve and held her next two service games with ease, finishing with back-to-back aces to take the first set after 33 minutes.
Giorgi then surprised everyone, including Pegula, by calling it a day.
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