Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula Advance to Australian Open Third Round

Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula both advanced to the third round of the Australian Open, showcasing strong performances in their respective matches. Defending champion Keys faced Ashlyn Krueger and secured a 6-1, 7-5 victory despite a challenging second set.

Match Highlights

At John Cain Arena, Keys initially dominated the first set. However, in the second set, she found herself trailing 5-2. Demonstrating resilience, Keys rallied to win the set and clinch the match. “I just wanted to get back into the set,” Keys explained. “Once I gained momentum, I fought to take control.”

Victory for Jessica Pegula

In another match, sixth-seeded Jessica Pegula achieved a convincing win over McCartney Kessler, finishing 6-0, 6-2. Pegula’s success sets her up for a showdown with Oksana Selekhmeteva, who caused an upset by defeating No. 25 seed Paula Badosa.

Other American Contenders

• Amanda Anisimova, ranked fourth, defeated Katerina Siniakova 6-1, 6-4 to advance.
• Anisimova will face fellow American Peyton Stearns in the next round.

Looking Ahead

Keys will encounter former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova, who won her match against Janice Tjen with a score of 6-4, 6-4. Pliskova is returning to form after an ankle surgery that limited her play last year.

This year’s tournament marks Keys’ return to Melbourne, where she celebrated her Grand Slam title twelve months ago. “Winning the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup will always be a highlight,” she remarked.

Notable Performances

Other significant results include Iga Świątek, who won her match against Marie Bouzkova 6-2, 6-3. The second-ranked player is aiming for a career Grand Slam and draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s enduring success.

Elena Rybakina, ranked fifth, also advanced, while tenth-seeded Belinda Bencic was eliminated by Nikola Bartunkova.

With their impressive performances, Keys and Pegula represent a strong presence for American women in the Australian Open, highlighting their potential as they progress through the tournament.