Jessica Pegula names the player on the WTA Tour with a faster forehand than Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina

Jessica Pegula is among the high-profile WTA Tour players making good progress at the US Open, with the American storming into round three.

Pegula lamented her poor service in her first round match at the US Open, in which she beat Mayar Sherif 6-0, 6-4.

The American, who lost the 2024 final in New York to Aryna Sabalenka, then won her second round tie with Anna Blinkova 6-1, 6-3.

Pegula, who came closest to her maiden Grand Slam title this time last year, now takes on Victoria Azarenka.

Azarenka defeated American qualifier Hina Inoue in round one of the hard-court tournament, before knocking out Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

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Jessica Pegula names the WTA player with the fastest forehand

The two-time Grand Slam champion must now get past home favourite Pegula, who was tasked with recalling the fastest shot she has faced after her latest win.

Pegula replied: “Firstly, I would say I did not play prime Serena [Williams] but I feel like everyone says that prime Serena’s ball is probably one of the hardest.

READ MORE: Jessica Pegula admits what really surprised her about Jack Draper’s tennis after playing doubles with him at the US Open

“I honestly think Madison Keys’ forehand is probably the hardest ball. I think it’s faster than anyone else on Tour, including Sabalenka and [Elena] Rybakina and those girls.

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“It’s hard to read as well, because she holds it and I feel like I am always at the will of her forehand and her hitting winners.

“It was interesting playing the mixed. I always liked trying to feel the guy’s balls as well, like how big they really hit.

“And Casper’s [Ruud] forehand was a lot bigger than I thought and his serve was a lot better than I thought, so it was something I don’t get to see that often which was interesting.

“I have not played with all the guys, so I don’t know, but that and also [Taylor] Fritz. I think his ball striking has got to be up there with the top five in the world. His ball is different than a lot of the other guys that I have hit with.”

How did Jessica Pegula perform in the US Open mixed doubles?

Pegula and Keys are among the American women enjoying very impressive seasons on the WTA Tour in 2025.

The duo are both currently in the top 10 of the world rankings, along with compatriots Coco Gauff and Emma Navarro.

But the hard-hitting Keys has already tumbled out of the US Open in a major shock, losing her very first match.

The 2025 Australian Open champion would have been eyeing a lengthy run on home soil, but she was upset by Renata Zarazua.

Pegula meanwhile, as she mentioned, took on the US Open mixed doubles tournament before starting her singles venture, getting first-hand insight into how hard the ATP players can hit the ball.

Round Opponents Score Round 1 Emma Raducanu/Carlos Alcaraz 4-2, 4-2 Quarterfinals Mirra Andreeva/Daniil Medvedev 4-1, 4-1 Semifinals Iga Swiatek/Casper Ruud 5-3, 3-5 [8-10] Jessica Pegula/Jack Draper 2025 US Open mixed doubles results

She was among a long list of high-profile players involved, and made it to the semifinals playing alongside Jack Draper.

They defeated Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz in round one and Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals, before losing to Iga Swiatek and Ruud.

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