‘Taking a lot of medicine’ – Stricken Ons Jabeur battles through at US Open, Jessica Pegula progresses

Ons Jabeur overcame illness to battle past Linda Noskova at the US Open, while third seed Jessica Pegula comfortably beat Patricia Maria Tig.

Jabeur, a losing finalist at Flushing Meadows last year, claimed a 7-6(7) 4-6 6-3 victory over rising star Noskova.

The fifth seed fought back from a break down in the deciding set to claim victory over the 18-year-old in just over two hours.

“This is a very special tournament and I think I’m going to use ‘warrior’ as a symbol for this tournament to continue to the end,” she said on court afterwards.

Jabeur is bidding for her first major title in New York and to put the heartbreak of July’s Wimbledon final defeat – her third Grand Slam final loss – behind her.

But she explained in her press conference afterwards that she has been far from full fitness during her early wins at Flushing Meadows against Camila Osorio and Noskova.

“I’ve been sick since I think Thursday. I’m taking a lot of medicine. I’m doing everything I can with my team trying to recover,” Jabeur said.

“Honestly, they have amazing doctors here, so they’ve been helping me. Every day I’m there. Basically took every medication they have.

“We try to manage what my health is right now. I’m glad it was two matches, two tests for me. I was trying to push myself to see what I can do, getting out of the comfort zone kind of.

“Hopefully will continue in a better shape and feel better for the next match.”

Jabeur will face another Czech opponent, No. 31 seed Marie Bouzkova, next in the third round.

Home favourite Pegula continued her bid for a maiden Grand Slam title by beating Romanian Tig 6-3 6-1.

The 29-year-old has reached the quarter-finals of every major but never gone further, something the New York crowd hopes will change this year.

“It was awkward,” Pegula said. “We haven’t played each other; we were both nervous.

“Playing at night, conditions are different. It’s kind of cool tonight, totally different than when I played here the other day. You just have to adjust and get used to it.”

The American’s 60th hard court win since the start of 2022 earned her a clash with 26th seed Elina Svitolina.

“Elina is so tough,” Pegula said. “I feel like every single match we play is always a really good battle.

“I feel like we play into each other’s games, where we make each other play better and we always have good matches. It’s great to see her back and playing at such a high level so quickly.”