Defending champion Madison Keys wins after a weak phase, while her compatriot Jessica Pegula wins an unusual match.
Defending champion Madison Keys (USA) once again overcame a brief weak phase and ultimately reached the third round of the Australian Open with confidence. In her 6-1, 7-5 victory over her compatriot Ashlyn Krueger, the 30-year-old came back from a 2-5 deficit in the second set. “I started very well and Ash was a little weak,” said Keys, who had started her season with quarterfinal defeats in Brisbane and Adelaide: “I fully expected her to raise her level, and she did.”
Keys had already struggled in the first round, having to save two set points against Oleksandra Olijnykowa.
Pegula beats doubles partner McCartney
Last year, Keys celebrated the greatest success of her career in Melbourne. In a high-class final, she surprisingly beat Aryna Sabalenka and prevented the Belarusian from winning her third consecutive Australian Open title.
In another US duel, world number six Jessica Pegula prevailed against her doubles partner McCartney Kessler. The favorite had no trouble winning 6-0, 6-2. “It’s always difficult when you have to play against someone you know and like and also play doubles with,” she said afterwards: “That’s a bit unfortunate.”
