The American tennis ace has reached the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows and is happy to carry the weight of the nation's hopes for a female home champion in New York.

Pegula - who will take on world number one Iga Swiatek in the last eight on Wednesday (04.09.24) - said: "I feel like there's been more pressure this year because I did so well coming into this tournament so to still be here winning, I feel like today maybe is the best off the ground I have felt.

"There is always a lot of pressure here but it's fun. It's nice, I like it."

Pegula beat Diana Shnaider to reach the quarter-final and she was happy with her performance in the daytime match.

She said: "I feel like this is the first time I've played during the day, hot conditions.

"I felt like we were returning really well if we didn't get some good first serves in.

"Having to hold onto my serve in some tough moments in that first set was really important and then I was able to stay aggressive on her returns."

The world number six comes from a wealthy background as her father is billionaire businessman and Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula but she has discussed how this has no bearing on her performances on the court.

She said: "It is what it is. It doesn't really bother me. It would be nice if people didn't say that. But do I really care? I mean, not really. I don't really think it matters how much money you have."