After first WTA title in D.C., Jessica Pegula has sights set on Top 50

Winning the Washington title has Jessica Pegula within just a few spots of reaching her rankings goal: to break into the Top 50 on the WTA Tour.

The 25-year-old will hit a career-high of No. 54 following her finals win against Camila Giorgi, having entered he tournament No. 79 in the rankings. Before this season, she hasn’t been able to crack the top 100.

Exactly a year ago, she was ranked No. 262. Now, Pegula has joined 12 other Americans in the WTA Top 100, her rise slowed by a long period of injuries. She recently began working with David Witt, who previously coached Venus Williams.

“Right now, it just feels like I’m hitting the stride that maybe I could have hit a few years ago,”  Pegula was quoted as telling press at Washington.

(Getty Images)

“I have goals. Top 50 would be nice.”

The American women in the Top 100 include Grand Slam champions like Serena and Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens, and some young players such as Amanda Anisimova and Sofia Kenin.

Pegula is hoping to keep going higher if she can.

“I don’t really compare myself to the other American girls,” Pegula said. “But yeah, it’s good to see them doing well, because it definitely gives you confidence that we’re on the same team and we’re all playing for the U.S.”

Washington is her first career title.