By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, September 4, 2023

NEW YORK—Madison Keys overwhelmed Jessica Pegula to reach her third US Open quarterfinal.

American No. 1 Pegula says Keys owns the massive game to master her maiden major in Flushing Meadows. 

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After Keys crushed Pegula 6-1, 6-3 to charge into the US Open quarterfinals, the Montreal champion candidly conceded "I got my ass kicked" before praising Keys as a true title contender.

The third-seeded Pegula asserts Keys is the biggest hitter still standing in the draw and "for sure" can win the US Open if she plays to the level she produced today.

"I feel like, again, she doesn't get enough credit. She's a great player, a slam finalist, multiple time semifinalist," Pegula said of Keys. "I think she's a bigger hitter on tour than a Sabalenka or an Iga or even a Rybakina. I mean, she's right there if not more powerful.

"She's been playing great this year. Again, yeah, she's hot. She could for sure win the tournament. I don't know, I feel like that gets lost. I feel like people kind of forgot about her, but she's still really good."



The 2017 US Open finalist Keys will face reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova for the first time for a semifinal spot.

"I think she's definitely a confidence player," Pegula said of Keys. "When she got on a roll, she was able to keep it going. To me, I think [the closed roof] favored her just with her heavy groundstrokes and serve."

Photo credit: Garrett Ellwood/USTA/US Open