Pegula Powers Past Sakkari in Adelaide, Advances to Quarter-Finals

Jessica Pegula dominated Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the Adelaide International, while defending champion Jelena Ostapenko exited the tournament.

Jessica Pegula made a triumphant start to her Adelaide International campaign on Wednesday, dispatching Maria Sakkari in convincing fashion. The top-seeded American, who received a first-round bye, dropped just five games en route to a 6-4, 6-1 victory over the Greek former world number three.

Pegula's dominant display against Sakkari marked a successful beginning to her delayed start to the season, just days before the Australian Open. As the US Open finalist, Pegula will be looking to carry this momentum into the first Grand Slam of the year.

World number seven Jessica Pegula secured a hard-fought victory over Maria Sakkari, winning 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-2. Pegula's triumph sets up an all-American quarter-final clash with Ashlyn Krueger. Reflecting on her win, Pegula acknowledged, “It's always tough getting the first win of the year, you don't know what to expect.”

Pegula's victory improved her head-to-head record against Sakkari to 6-5. The American player, who last competed at the WTA Finals in November, expressed her satisfaction with the win, saying, “But it's good heading into Melbourne next week. My focus is on doing well here first.” Pegula also emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, adding, “It's fun to problem-solve on court and have a good attitude to start the year.”

In a surprise upset, defending champion Jelena Ostapenko was eliminated by 2022 winner Madison Keys, who won 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Keys attributed her victory to her ability to persevere, saying, “I had to weather the storm and stay in it, I'm happy with how I did that today.”

Second-seeded Emma Navarro, ranked eighth in the world, faced a stiff challenge in her Adelaide International match against Ekaterina Alexandrova. The American ultimately emerged victorious, winning 7-6(4), 6-4 in a two-hour contest. Navarro will next face Liudmila Samsonova, who defeated Belinda Bencic 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-4, for a spot in the semi-finals.

Men's top seed Tommy Paul was pushed to his limits by French qualifier Manuel Guinard, ranked 261. However, the American managed to secure a hard-fought 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory. Paul acknowledged the pressure that comes with being the top seed, saying, “I dealt with the pressure points very well. As top seed I know I've got a target on my back. I have to bring it tomorrow.” Paul will face Australian Rinky Hijikata in the next round.

Second seed Sebastian Korda produced a convincing 6-3, 6-3 win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to reach the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Canadian fifth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime staged a remarkable comeback to defeat France's Arthur Cazaux 1-6, 6-4, 7-5.