NEW YORK, ⁠Sept 2 (Reuters) - World number three Jessica Pegula produced a ⁠finely tuned performance to sprint through a second-round meeting ‌withfellow American Sofia Kenin, winning 6-3 6-1 at the U.S. Open on Wednesday.

In the first match of the day on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Pegula dropped ​only three of her first-serve points and ⁠never faced a break ⁠point. The 2024 runner-up, who is seeking her maiden major title ⁠as ‌well as top spot in the rankings, booked a meetingwith 2021 finalist Leylah Fernandez.

Wildcard Kenin has struggled as ⁠injuries and illness saw her tumble down the ​rankings after her ‌breakthrough 2020 Australian Open win and she was neverable ⁠to get ​a foothold in the match as she suffered yet another early exit from her domestic major.

Kenin handed her opponent the break with a ⁠double fault in the opening game ​and Pegula broke her again on set point with a fine forehand before slamming her foot down on the gas.

The runner-up at ⁠the Cincinnati tune-up tournament was near flawless as she won the first five games of the second set, producing just two unforced errors before closing it out with an unreturnable serve.

"I'm ​going for my spots, I'm going pretty ⁠big on second serves," said Pegula, adding that she had put ​effort into adding more firepower to ‌her serve. "Really excited when I can ​practise something and it pays off in a match."

(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New YorkEditing by Toby Davis)