Jessica Pegula shows major respect for Elina Svitolina ahead of US Open match

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Jessica Pegula declared Elina Svitolina "a so tough" opponent and said she expects another great battle when she meets the Ukrainian at the US Open. Pegula, seeded at No 3, is set to meet former world No 3 Svitolina in the US Open third round.

Going into their US Open match, Pegula leads the head-to-head against Svitolina 3-1. In August - in their last match - Pegula came back from a set down to beat Svitolina 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the Washington quarterfinal. “Elina is so tough.

I feel like every single match we play is always just a really good battle. I feel like we play into each other's games where we make each other play better and always just have really great matches. It’s great to see her back playing at such a high level so quickly," Pegula said of facing Svitolina.

Pegula applauded Svitolina's comeback to tennis

After giving birth and being out for 13 months, Svitolina returned to tennis in April. Since returning, Svitolina won a WTA 250 title and also reached the Wimbledon semifinal.

At Wimbledon, Pegula applauded Svitolina's inspiring post-pregnancy comeback to tennis. "It's amazing what she's done. It's such an incredible story. Obviously her being Ukrainian, having a baby, coming back, beating Iga. There's so many dynamics.

Yeah, it's crazy to think that she's done that. But I feel like she's been competing so well. It seems like she has a lot of fire and competitive spirit in her, whether it's for whatever reason. But it seems like she's really rejuvenated after having a baby and taking some time off.

I remember playing her at the end before she was pregnant and stuff. It seemed like maybe she kind of lost her spark. I feel like she came back ready to go and wanting to prove something. So, yeah, even before the French, she won Strasbourg, had a great run there.

I feel like she likes the grass. It's been an amazing story. Watching her play, you can see it on her face, how much she wants it. I think that's really cool," Pegula said of Svitolina's post-pregnancy tennis comeback.