Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula, two of America’s top women’s tennis players, secured their spots in the third round of the Australian Open on Thursday by defeating fellow Americans in straight-sets victories that showcased both dominance and resilience.
In a match at John Cain Arena, defending champion Madison Keys faced a tough challenge from Ashlyn Krueger. Keys cruised through the first set 6-1 but found herself down 5-2 in the second set after Krueger raised her level. However, Keys rallied to win five consecutive games, closing out the match 7-5 and demonstrating her champion’s mentality under pressure.
Simultaneously, sixth-seeded Jessica Pegula delivered a masterclass performance against McCartney Kessler, her new doubles partner. Pegula dominated from the start, winning the first set 6-0 in just 21 minutes and maintaining control to take the second set 6-2. Her precision and low error count were key factors in the swift victory.
Keys reflected on her comeback, stating, ‘I think I started really well, and Ashlyn started a little bit slow. And then I was fully expecting her to raise her level, which she did. It just kind of got away from me a little quickly.’ She added that she focused on getting back to basics and regaining momentum, which paid off in the critical moments.
Pegula shared similar sentiments, noting, ‘I just tried to stay loose — got off to a really good start, which I was proud of, but then I lost it right back. She’s such a good competitor so I knew that at one point she was going to find a way to start playing better.’ She emphasized adjusting her play and staying calm under pressure.
The victories set up intriguing third-round matchups. Keys will next face former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova, who is making a comeback from injury, while Pegula will take on Oksana Selekhmeteva, who upset seeded player Paula Badosa. These matches will test the Americans’ form and adaptability as the tournament progresses.
In the broader context of the Australian Open, the success of Keys and Pegula highlights the strength of American women’s tennis, with other top players like Amanda Anisimova and Coco Gauff also advancing. The all-American matchups in the early rounds underscore the depth of talent from the United States in the current tennis landscape.
Looking ahead, both Keys and Pegula are positioned to make deep runs in Melbourne. Keys, as the defending champion, carries the weight of expectation, while Pegula’s consistent performance makes her a serious contender. Their progress will be closely watched as they aim to add another Grand Slam title to their resumes.
