Australian Open 2021: Elina Svitolina vs Jessica Pegula – Preview, Head-to-Head and Prediction

5th seed Elina Svitolina will face American Jessica Pegula in the fourth round of Australian Open 2021.

Match Details:

• Fixture: Elina Svitolina vs Jessica Pegula
• Date: 15 February 2021
• Tournament: Australian Open 2021
• Round: 4th Round
• Venue: Melbourne, Australia
• Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
• Prize Money: 245,920 $ (USD)

Elina Svitolina vs Jessica Pegula: Preview

Svitolina has got to a decent start in 2021 reaching the quarterfinal back to back in Abu Dhabi Open and the Gippsland Trophy last week.

At Australian Open, she defeated Marie Bouzkova in the first round 6-3, 7-6(5) and got the better of Coco Gauff in the second round in straight sets 6-4,6-3. In the third round, she thrashed Yulia Putintseva in straight sets 6-4,6-0.

Her opponent, Jessica Pegula is currently ranked 61st in the world but is definitely punching above her weight in the tournament. In the first round, she upset former Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka 7-5,6-4.

In the next two rounds, she got the better of local Samantha Stosur and Kristina Mladenovic, dropping just 4 games in the process.

Elina Svitolina vs Jessica Pegula: Head-to-Head

This will be the second meeting between the two. Svitolina leads the H2H 1-0. They recently faced each other in last month’s Abu Dhabi Open, with the Ukrainian winning 6-4, 6-3.

Elina Svitolina vs Jessica Pegula: Prediction

This will be a cracker of a match as both players have dominated their opponents in the previous rounds. Jessica Pegula has shown improvement in her attacking skillset, playing the ball a lot earlier and taking more risks on her forehand. Svitolina has also made a similar change in her approach.

She has adapted well to the fast courts in Melbourne and her court coverage has been phenomenal. This match may go down to the distance and Svitolina may prevail on the basis of her big-match experience.

Prediction: Svitolina to win in three sets

Also read: Australian Open 2021: Ashleigh Barty vs Shelby Rogers – Preview, Head-to-Head and Prediction