Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys get off to the ideal start at the US Open, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Jessica Pegula won her first-round match against Alison Van Uytvanck at the US Open with a comfortable straight-set victory. The American player, ranked 26th in the world, showcased her powerful groundstrokes and impressive court coverage to win 6-4, 6-4.

Pegula, who reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open earlier this year, started the match strongly, breaking Van Uytvanck’s serve in the third game. She continued to dictate play throughout the match, hitting 28 winners and only making 11 unforced errors.

The win was particularly special for Pegula, who is from Buffalo, New York, just hours away from Flushing Meadows. The home crowd was fully behind her, cheering her on throughout the match.

Meanwhile, Madison Keys, another American player, also had a successful opening match at the US Open. The former finalist defeated Serbian player Danka Kovinic 6-3, 6-1 in just over an hour.

Keys, who is ranked 28th in the world, showcased her powerful serve and aggressive game style, hitting 25 winners and winning 78% of points on her first serve. The victory sets up a potential second-round clash with reigning champion Naomi Osaka.

Both Pegula and Keys will be hoping to continue their strong form and make deep runs in the tournament. The US Open is known for its electric atmosphere and passionate home crowd, and both players will undoubtedly be buoyed by the support as they progress through the rounds.