- Jessica Pegula advances to the second round of the Miami Open.
- American Pegula is among the favourites to challenge Aryna Sabalenka.
- Pegula will play fellow American Danielle Collins after defeating Viktoriya Tomova.
Thursday’s 6-3, 6-1 victory over Katherine Sebov of Canada gave world number three Jessica Pegula her Miami Open debut.
American Pegula is among the favorites to challenge Aryna Sabalenka for the title now that top-ranked Iga Swiatek has withdrawn.
Pegula, a 2022 semi-finalist in Miami, stated, “I had to adjust my game plan a little bit in that first set and then was able to close it out pretty easily.”
In the second round, Pegula will play fellow American Danielle Collins after defeating Viktoriya Tomova of Bulgaria 7-6 (7/3), 6-2.
She is someone who is pretty tough to play against and on a fast court as well, she will be going for her shots and playing aggressive. She’s feisty, she competes really well. It’s going to be a tough match.” She’s lively, and she contends all around well. “The match is going to be tough,” Pegula stated.
Elise Mertens of Belgium beat Daria Kasatkina, the eighth seed, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.
After losing a 3-0 lead in the first set, Mertens won the second set, forcing Kasatkina into a medical timeout because of her physical problems.
Spain’s Paula Badosa struggled to a 7-6 (7/2), 4-6, 6-3 win over Germany’s Laura Siegemund while Russian Anastasia Potapova crushed Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3.
While Kostyuk had a lot of support from Ukrainian fans huddled under national flags on the small outer court, she was never able to put pressure on her opponent.
At the conclusion of the match, neither player extended a hand or acknowledged the other as they left the court.
After wearing a Spartak Moscow football shirt before a game at Indian Wells, Potapova had caused some controversy and received a formal warning from the WTA. In the first round of the ATP, big-hitting Czech Jiri Lehecka easily defeated Argentine Federico Coria 6-3, 6-4.
Lehecka stated, “The conditions suit me much better than in Indian Wells.”
“The surface is a bit faster and the balls are flying more. I managed it well and I am super happy to get the win,” he continued.
Cristian Garin of Chile defeated American Marcos Giron 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, and the next match will be against Argentinean Sebastian Baez.
On Friday, world number one Carlos Alcaraz takes on Argentine Facundo Bagnis.
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