Pegula Happy to Share the Spotlight with Fellow American Hope Gauff 

Jessica Pegula of the United States reacts against Camila Giorgi of Italy during their Women's Singles First Round match on Day Two of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)
Jessica Pegula of the United States reacts against Camila Giorgi of Italy during their Women's Singles First Round match on Day Two of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Pegula Happy to Share the Spotlight with Fellow American Hope Gauff 

Jessica Pegula of the United States reacts against Camila Giorgi of Italy during their Women's Singles First Round match on Day Two of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)
Jessica Pegula of the United States reacts against Camila Giorgi of Italy during their Women's Singles First Round match on Day Two of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)

Jessica Pegula may be the top ranked American at the US Open but the third seed says she is happy to let red-hot compatriot Coco Gauff carry some of the burden of expectation as they bid to end the country's Grand Slam drought.

World number three Pegula and number six Gauff arrived in New York having won WTA 1000 titles to spark hopes of a first American women's major champion since Sofia Kenin lifted the trophy at the 2020 Australian Open.

Pegula cruised to a 6-2 6-2 opening win over Camila Giorgi on Tuesday - a day after Gauff rallied to beat Laura Siegemund - and the 29-year-old said that she did not mind the focus being on her frequent doubles partner at the tournament.

"I don't know. Maybe it's good," Pegula said with a smile. "Coco can take it, that pressure, not me. I don't know. I mean, I don't mind. She's been winning a lot. I think she deserves a lot of that attention.

"She's obviously very young. She's been playing really well. She's super electric to watch, loves the crowd and New York. No, I don't really have a preference. Either way I think I want to continue to win matches and do the best that I can.

"It's nice that even though I'm the top American, I can't imagine carrying a ton of pressure if it was only me. It's nice that there are a lot of us that are doing well and that have chances to go deep here."

Pegula said the current crop of US women's players - 13 of whom are in the top 100 - were genuine friends and driving each other towards success, just like their male colleagues.

"I think we've embraced the fact that though we're all competing for rankings and tournaments ... even if you play each other you want to beat each other, you're pushing each other at the same time," Pegula said.

"I think that's something the guys are doing well with (Taylor) Fritz, (Tommy) Paul, (Frances) Tiafoe. You see them pushing each other and they're all going higher and higher."



Belgian Grand Prix Gets Contract Extension but Set to Be Dropped from Schedule in 2028 and 2030

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)
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Belgian Grand Prix Gets Contract Extension but Set to Be Dropped from Schedule in 2028 and 2030

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)

Formula 1 has extended its contract with the Belgian Grand Prix, but one of the sport's most established races is set to be dropped from the schedule in 2028 and 2030.

The extension starting from next year includes races only in 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031, F1 said Wednesday.

F1’s push in recent years to expand the schedule with more races in the United States and Asia has meant more competition for traditional venues in Europe seeking to keep their places on the calendar.

The Spa-Francorchamps circuit, a favorite with many drivers for its flowing high-speed layout through forested hills, was on the F1 schedule for the first championship season in 1950 and has been on the calendar every year since 2007.

"The Belgian Grand Prix was one of the races that made up our maiden Championship in 1950, so as we kick off our 75th anniversary year it is fitting that we can share the news of this important extension," F1 president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali said in a statement.

"Spa-Francorchamps is rightly lauded by drivers and fans alike as one of the finest racetracks in the world and it has played host to some incredible moments over its many seasons in Formula 1."

This year's Belgian Grand Prix race weekend is from July 25 through 27, including a sprint race.