[3] Jessica Pegula has been “not so quietly” going about her business. Perhaps many may not have expected this classy performance from the American. However, this should not surprise us. Pegula has shown us her determination quietly. She is not in your face; she just figures out what needs to improve and has gone about it. You have to admire her style. This is the third consecutive year that Pegula is into the Australian Open quarterfinals. In fact, Wimbledon is the only major she has not made it to the quarterfinals. Will this be the year she gets past this round and gets to her first major semifinals? I won’t bet against her.
Embed from Getty ImagesA Tough Opponent Next For Jessica Pegula
Standing in the way of her first major semifinals is a tough opponent, [24] Victoria Azarenka. At thirty-three years old, the Belarusian is still playing some nifty tennis. Azarenka knows how to play on this surface as a former two-time Australian Open champion. They are tied at 2:2, with the American winning the last time they met. Yet, we need to remember, experience is a factor and Azarenka has more experience at this level than Pegula.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Other Americans Left In The Draws
[29] Sebastian Korda is in his first major quarterfinals. Korda defeated the tenth seed, Hubert Hurkacz. Hurkacz gave it everything he had to the proverbial, “bitter end;” however, it was not enough. Korda won 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(10-7). [7] Coco Gauff is out of the Australian Open. The American fought in the first set, but [17] Jelena Ostapenko was just too tough an opponent. Ostapenko won 7-5, 6-3.
The Other Seeds That Lost On Day 7
[1] Iga Swiatek is out of the Australian Open. The Polish number one ranked player on the WTA Tour could not get by [22] Elena Rybakina. This should probably not be a surprise, after all, Rybakina is the 2022 Wimbledon champion. [6] Felix Auger-Aliassime will not make it to his second consecutive Australian Open quarterfinals. The Canadian lost to [71] Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(2), 6-7(3). [15] Jannik Sinner loses again to [3] Stefanos Tsitsipas. It was a five-set battle and the Greek player prevailed 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3.
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