Jessica Pegula continues her push for another shot at the U.S. Open title with a third-round match against two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Pegula, last year’s runner-up and this year’s No. 4 seed, is back in familiar territory after reaching at least the third round in New York for the sixth straight year.
Her 2025 season has been top-heavy, with three title wins in the first half followed by early-round exits at Wimbledon and three North American hard-court tournaments preceding the U.S. Open.
But her play in the first two rounds in Flushing is encouraging, with straightforward wins over Mayar Sherif and Anna Blinkova, controlling the baseline with clean hitting and precise serving.
Azarenka, now ranked outside the top 100, took two hours to beat American qualifier Hina Inoue in straight sets in the first round, then followed with a more efficient win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
While no longer at her peak, the 36-year-old Belarusian remains a formidable returner and thrives in extended baseline exchanges.
Pegula–Azarenka Head-to-Head
Pegula and Azarenka have split their six matches, with their head-to-head tied at three matches apiece. Pegula won their most recent match in Charleston on clay in 2024 in three sets.
Prediction
Pegula in straight sets. Azarenka’s competitiveness ensures rallies will be long and physical, but Pegula’s steadier baseline game and sharper form this season point toward a clean two-set win. Expect Pegula to dictate with her backhand and return Azarenka’s serve effectively enough to avoid a deciding set.
How to Watch Jessica Pegula vs. Victoria Azarenka
Friday’s match between Jessica Pegula and Victoria Azarenka is expected to start at around 1:45 PM at Arthur Ashe Stadium, after Alcaraz-Darderi.
Some of the match will air on ESPN as part of its whip-around coverage. ESPN’s broadcast is simulcast on the ESPN app and website.
A dedicated match stream is available for ESPN+ subscribers. A standalone ESPN+ subscription starts at $11.99/month.
Pegula vs. Azarenka
Date: Friday, August 29, 2025
Expected Start Time: 1:45 PM Eastern (after Alcaraz-Darderi)
Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing, NY
Court: Arthur Ashe Stadium
TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app and ESPN+ (dedicated match stream)
