RTL Today – Despite horror: US Open finalist Pegula fights back and reaches the round of 16 in Beijing

US Open runner-up Jessica Pegula survived a scare to reach the round of 16 of the China Open and a meeting with Spain’s Paula Badosa on Sunday.

The second-seeded American fought back in Beijing and defeated Veronika Kudermetova 6:7 (9/11), 6:1, 6:2.

The first set was a mammoth set, the Russian, ranked 39th, prevailed in the tiebreak and took an early lead.

Pegula hit back in the second set, then used that momentum into the decider, grabbing an early break to give her a taste of victory.

The 30-year-old Pegula, seeking her seventh WTA Tour title, sealed the deal on her third match point when she sent down an ace.

The 19th-ranked Badosa secured her place in the next round with a straight-sets win over Slovakian qualifier Rebecca Sramkova.

The top seed in Beijing is Aryna Sabalenka, who beat Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in New York earlier this month to claim her third Grand Slam title.

World number one Iga Swiatek is not in Beijing for “personal reasons”.