Tennis-Pegula breezes past Bouzas Maneiro and into U.S. Open fourth round

NEW YORK, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Jessica Pegula's strong serving and smothering defense led to a textbook 6-3 6-3 win over Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the U.S. Open third round on Saturday.

The sixth-seeded American, who struggled with injuries earlier in the year, produced her best form of the tournament so far, winning 89% of her first serve points, cracking 13 winners and breaking serve four times.

Pegula crushed a serve Bouzas Maneiro could put back into play on match point to advance in 70 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium court.

The unseeded Bouzas Maneiro struggled to match Pegula's energy in the contest and was hampered by six double faults and 29 unforced errors.

Pegula will face either Diana Shnaider or Sara Errani.

(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

((Rory.Carroll@thomsonreuters.com; 503-830-8017;))