But I miss playing. I think it really helped my game," she said.
She also praised rising American talent Iva Jovic, who advanced to the second round after defeating Jaqueline Cristian 7-6(7-1), 6-0.
"I think she's a great player, I think she's so good. I practiced with her a little bit," Pegula said of the 18-year-old.
"You could just see the look in her face, like, she means business every time she steps out.
I think that is something super rare."
Pegula added that Jovic has asserted herself as a top-20 player and can go even higher.
"She's gotten so much stronger physically and super fit and competes like an animal. I really respect that aspect of her," she stated.
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Following their respective first-round victories, Jovic will play the winner of Yulia Putintseva vs. Tatjana Maria, while Pegula faces Sara Sorribes in the second round.
