Honestly, if you’ve followed Ann Li’s journey even a little, you’d know she’s not someone who gives up easy. After a rough exit from the French Open back in 2020, most people probably thought she’d fade out for a while. But here she is, back again in Paris, looking sharp and more determined than ever. She won her first-round match pretty comfortably this time, and you can just tell she’s playing with something to prove. She’s only 24 but already shows the kind of grit you usually see in veterans. This time around, it feels like she’s not just showing up — she’s here to fight.
A Little About Her Rise
If you’re wondering who Ann Li is and why people are paying attention, let me break it down. She was born in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, in late 1999. She started training young and eventually worked with Rick Macci, the same coach who’s helped a bunch of big names. That definitely gave her a strong start. Her first big win came in 2021 when she grabbed a WTA title at the Tenerife Ladies Open. Since then, she’s had a few solid runs at the Grand Slams — nothing too deep yet, but she did make it to the round of 32 at both the US Open and the Australian Open. Not bad at all for someone still figuring it all out.
Now, she’s hoping this year’s French Open will be her real breakout. You can feel that energy from her.
Facing a Big Challenge: Jessica Pegula
So, here’s the big thing — Ann is facing Jessica Pegula in the second round. And yeah, Pegula is no joke. She’s currently ranked No.3 in the world, and she’s had a really solid couple of seasons on the WTA Tour. She’s known for her aggressive play and cool head under pressure. A lot of players get overwhelmed by that. But here's an interesting bit — Ann actually has a 1-0 lead over Pegula in their head-to-head. That means they’ve played once before, and Ann came out on top.
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It’s only one match, sure, but it matters.
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That win could give Ann a mental edge going into this one.
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Pegula will definitely be ready to even things out.
This match could really go either way, and fans are buzzing about it for a reason.
What to Expect in This Match
If you’re tuning in, don’t expect a walkover from either side. The clay courts at Roland Garros can make things tricky, especially for players who like fast surfaces. Both Ann and Jessica will need to adjust. For Ann, her quick movement and attacking game might work well here if she keeps the unforced errors low. Pegula, on the other hand, is more consistent and knows how to grind through long rallies.
What could decide the match?
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Who handles the pressure better in the big moments
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Whether Ann can keep her nerves in check and stay aggressive
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If Pegula can shut down Ann’s momentum early
It’s going to be close, and probably not a straight-sets match. The energy in the crowd and the moment itself could tip the scale either way.
Final Thoughts
This one feels important for Ann Li — not just because it’s a Grand Slam, but because beating someone like Pegula would be a huge confidence boost. She’s shown flashes of brilliance before, but this would be something else. A win here might even change how people see her going forward.
But honestly, even if she doesn’t win, just seeing her push a top player like Pegula will prove she belongs on the big stage. And if she keeps playing like this, it’s only a matter of time before she breaks through.
Let’s see how it goes. Either way, it’s one of the matches you’ll want to watch.
