Keys, Pegula, Anisimova Power Into Australian Open Fourth Round

Defending champion Madison Keys convincingly defeated former world number one Karolina Pliskova to extend her winning streak and set up a fourth-round clash with Jessica Pegula. Pegula advanced with a dominant straight-sets victory over qualifier Oksana Selekhmeteva, acknowledging the challenge Keys presents. Amanda Anisimova continued her strong form, defeating compatriot Peyton Stearns to reach the fourth round for the second consecutive year. The upcoming match between Keys and Pegula is a highly anticipated rematch of last year's Adelaide International final.

Key Points: Keys, Pegula, Anisimova Advance at Australian Open

  • Keys extends unbeaten run to 10 matches
  • Pegula dominates qualifier Selekhmeteva
  • Anisimova reaches 4th round for second straight year
  • Keys-Pegula Adelaide final rematch set
2 min read

Australian Open: Defending champion Keys, Pegula, Anisimova continue winning run

Defending champion Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, and Amanda Anisimova secure their spots in the Australian Open fourth round with decisive victories.

"She is the type of player who, when she is on, she can beat anybody. - Jessica Pegula"

Melbourne, January 24

Defending champion Madison Keys continued her winning run at the Australian Open, outclassing former world number one Karolina Pliskova on Saturday.

Keys continued her winning run at the Australian Open, extending her unbeaten run to 10 matches, outclassing the former US Open and Wimbledon finalist 6-3, 6-3 to end her hopes of any further run in the tournament.

Now, she books a clash for the round of 16 with Jessica Pegula, a familiar rival, against whom she enjoys a 2-1 head-to-head record, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 win on Australian soil in the final of the Adelaide International last January.

Pegula was absolutely dominant against qualifier Oksana Selekhmeteva, as the sixth-seeded player crushed Oksana 6-3, 6-2. A former US Open finalist and world number six, Pegula will be aiming to outdo her three quarterfinal finishes at Australia.

Speaking on playing against Keys, Pegula said, as quoted by the WTA website, "She plays very well down here. Obviously, we know that. She is the defending champion. I think she is kind of embracing that and has been playing some pretty good matches, as well. Pretty straightforward."

"It will be interesting. I think I need to kind of go back to the drawing board and look at some things I need to change. The last few times I have played her, I feel like I just -- she played well, I think, in Adelaide last year," she added.

Pegula also feels she is doing a lot of things right this year.

"I kind of need to figure out some things that I need to do differently against her, because I have lost the last couple of times. She is the type of player who, when she is on, she can beat anybody. We know that. I am just going to have to use some of the tools I think that I have gotten better at, and hopefully they work. We will see. But I am excited for the challenge to kind of hopefully turn that around a little bit," he added.

Also, the world number four, Amanda Anisimova, continued her fine run, reaching the fourth round for the second successive year in Australia, outclassing compatriot Peyton Stearns 6-1, 6-4 at Margaret Court Arena.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good to see the tournament progressing well. As an Indian fan, I do wish we had more of our players in the later rounds, but the women's draw is very competitive. Anisimova is also looking sharp.
A
Aman W
Pegula's analysis is spot on. Keys is a different beast when she's "on". That Adelaide final last year was one-sided. Pegula will need a perfect tactical plan. Should be a cracking Round of 16 match!
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Sarah B
Respectfully, while the article is fine, it feels very focused on the American players. The Australian Open has such a global field—would be nice to get more coverage on players from other regions too in the general news cycle here.
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Vikram M
Ten-match winning streak is no joke! Keys is defending her title like a true champion. The Melbourne conditions seem to suit her game perfectly. Waking up early to catch these matches is totally worth it.
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Kriti O
Anisimova is so young and already world number four! That's incredible. The future of women's tennis looks bright. Hope she goes deep into the tournament this time.

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