Jessica Pegula is off to a winning start at the ATX Open in Austin after Arantxa Rus retired midway through the second set of their first-round clash.
In the fourth game, the top-seeded American converted the first break point of the match and then just held on to her serve for the rest of the first set to clinch the opener with a 6-3 scoreline.
After losing the first set, Rus took a medical timeout.
Shortly after the match resumed, the world No. 90 got her first break of the match and opened an early 2-0 second-set lead.
However, that lead was short-lived as Pegula quickly responded with back-to-back breaks to overturn the deficit and go 3-2 up.
That's when Rus decided to retire the match.
Pegula starts her Austin debut with a win
For the American - who celebrated her 31st birthday on Monday - it was her debut match at the WTA 250 tournament in Austin.
In her next match, the No. 1 seed will battle against Nuria Parrizas-Diaz, who beat Malaika Rapolu in her opening match.
When Pegula and the Spaniard meet in the ATX Open round-of-16, it will be their second meeting.
Three years ago, the world No. 4 beat Parrizas-Diaz 7-6 (3) 6-2 in the Australian Open third round.
This week, the 2024 US Open runner-up will be an absolute home favorite in Austin and there is no doubt that she will be determined to lift the title in front of her home fans.
