Jessica Pegula, daughter of Bills and Sabres owner, wins Grand Slam debut
Jessica Pegula returns a shot against Alison Van Uytvanck during their women's first-round match on Day 1 of the 2015 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Aug. 31, 2015 in Queens. Credit: Getty Images / Elsa
Jessica Pegula made her U.S. Open debut a memorable one.
Pegula, the 21-year-old daughter of Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula, upset Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3, on Court 7 in Monday's first round. It was also Pegula's Grand Slam debut.
Pegula beat Melanie Oudin, 7-6 (8), 6-0, in last week's U.S. Open qualifying tournament to earn a spot in the main draw. Oudin burst onto the scene at the 2009 U.S. Open, making it to the quarterfinals as a 17-year-old.
Pegula, currently ranked 260th in the world, will play Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia in the second round. Cibulkova upset No. 7 seed Ana Ivanovic, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, Monday.
Van Uytvanck, ranked 55th, lost in the first round at Wimbledon after reaching the quarterfinals at the French Open.
