Jessica Pegula has just clinched her first title of 2025, defeating McCartney Kessler in the final of the ATX Open in Austin.
Actor Matthew McConaughey congratulated Pegula on reaching the final, which she then won 7-5, 6-2 over fellow American Kessler.
The ATX Open final was the first final between two Americans on home soil since 2017, with top seed Pegula overcoming fifth seed Kessler.
Pegula now has seven WTA Tour titles to her name, with her first in 2025 coming in her fifth tournament of the season.
She started superbly by reaching the final of the Adelaide International, which she lost to another American in Madison Keys.
Danielle Collins reacts after Jessica Pegula wins the ATX Open
A third round exit was then suffered at the Australian Open, with the world number four then losing in the Qatar Open quarter-finals.
She followed that up with a round of 16 exit at the Dubai Tennis Championships, but has now recovered by going all the way in Austin.
The WTA has now congratulated the American on her title, writing on Instagram: “Mind over body! Congratulations to your 2025 Champion in Austin Jessica Pegula!”
Among those to have commented on the post was compatriot Danielle Collins, who wrote: “Just queen things.”
Pegula has also taken to social media to celebrate, writing on Instagram: “Great week here in Austin at the ATX Open, this week was so much fun!”
And sharing celebratory emojis under the post was world number 22 and 2024 Olympic silver medalist Donna Vekic.
Jessica Pegula makes history with ATX Open win over McCartney Kessler
After a somewhat disappointing run of form, beginning with that Australian Open third round exit, Pegula was in formidable form in Austin.
She was given an early boost when Arantxa Rus retired during their round of 32 meeting, although the American was leading comfortably 6-3, 3-2 at the time.
Pegula then won in straight sets against both Nuria Parrizas-Diaz and Anna Blinkova, before emerging successful 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 in her semi-final against Ajla Tomljanovic.
She returned to straight set success against Kessler, with Pegula becoming the first top seed to win the ATX Open singles title, as reported by the Austin American-Statesman.
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