Jessica Pegula has continued her fine form at this year’s Australian Open, having reached the fourth round with minimal fuss.
In fact, the American has arguably been one of the standout players of this tournament so far, having yet to drop a set, and actually losing just ten games across three matches and six sets.
For all her undeniable quality and consistency, a Grand Slam title is the key accolade that continues to elude the world number six.
Some would argue that she has her best chance yet this year in Melbourne, given her form at the moment.
However, if she is to go all the way and truly challenge for this Australian Open title, she will have to dethrone the reigning champion next.
Jessica Pegula previews her Australian Open match vs Madison Keys
Jessica Pegula’s fourth-round match-up against Madison Keys marks one of the most mouth-watering ties of the event thus far.
After all, this all-American affair pits two good friends against one another, with a coveted spot in the quarter-finals on the line.
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Asked about the dynamics that unfold when facing someone you’re so close with, Pegula spoke about Keys, both as a high-quality player and a friend: “Yeah, I mean, she plays very well down here. Obviously we know that. She’s defending champion. I think she’s kind of embracing that and has been playing some pretty good matches, as well. Pretty straightforward.
“It will be interesting. I think I need to kind of go back to the drawing board and look at some things I need to change. The last few times I’ve played her I feel like I just — she played well, I think, in Adelaide last year.
“I do feel like I’m doing some things better this year, you know, in the last six months where hopefully I can use those tools, and it will help me when I play her in a couple days.
“Yeah, I kind of need to figure out some things that I need to do different against her, because I’ve lost the last couple times. She’s the type of player, when she’s on, she can beat anybody. We know that. I’m just going to have to use some of the tools I think that I’ve gotten better at, and hopefully they work. We’ll see.
“But yeah, I’m excited for the challenge to kind of hopefully turn that around a little bit.”
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Keys and Pegula have faced one another just three times in their careers, which might come as a surprise given their respective quality.
And, adding to the intrigue of this upcoming clash, it marks just their second-ever match at a Grand Slam.
The defending Australian Open champion won their only other major showdown in New York in 2023, having also beaten Pegula in the Adelaide final around this time last year too.
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That means that Pegula is yet to claim a win over her good friend since 2022.
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