TENNIS: Pegula's experience pays off as she puts out teenager Jovic

LONDON — Iva Jovic, seen as a rising leader of the next generation in American women’s tennis, was given a sharp lesson in experience on Sunday at Wimbledon as Jessica Pegula overpowered the teenager to reach the quarterfinals on Court One.

The 32-year-old Pegula had anticipated an aggressive challenge from the 18-year-old Jovic, and that is exactly what unfolded. After a scrappy opening set filled with momentum swings, Pegula recovered to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 and match her best Wimbledon result.

The first set featured seven service breaks, with Pegula later describing the exchange as feeling like a “ping-pong match.” But once she settled into her rhythm, the experienced American gradually took control.

“I’m happy with the way I was able to kind of readjust and not panic too much and just reset,” Pegula said. “I wasn’t serving well, so I ended up losing the set, and that’s not how I was going to win the match.

“I just told myself to pick up the first-serve percentage, get some more free points, quicker points.”

Jovic, who reached the quarterfinals of this year’s Australian Open, appeared on track to repeat that feat early on. However, Pegula’s composure and consistency shifted the momentum firmly in her favor.

After dropping the opening game of the second set, Pegula responded by winning four consecutive games and never relinquished control from that point. Her improved serving and reduced unforced errors proved decisive.

Jovic, the 16th seed, began to fade in the third set as Pegula quickly closed in on victory.

Pegula is now one of five American women to reach the Wimbledon last 16 for the first time since 2002 and could face another compatriot in the quarterfinals if Coco Gauff defeats Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic.

Like Madison Keys a day earlier, Pegula also has the chance to play on Centre Court for the first time should she advance further in the tournament.

“It would be really cool, an honor obviously,” she said. “If I get there by making a semifinal, that would be awesome. I would love to earn my spot to be there.” -Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Pritha Sarkar/Reuters