“A big game awaits me,” Jessica Pegula discloses Victoria Azarenka’s major strengths ahead of facing her in the 2023 Australian Open quarterfinals
Jessica Pegula thinks she is not the favorite before meeting Victoria Azarenka in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open 2023.
Follow Us
Jessica Pegula and Victoria Azarenka
American World No.3 Jessica pegula is set to meet two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open 2023. Before going for the big battle, she wanted to unburden herself from all the hype by saying that she is not necessarily the favorite against Azarenka. Pegula qualified for the last eight with a straight-set victory over Barbora Krejcikova in the pre-quarterfinals: 7-5, 6-2.
The American was quoted on how she feels before locking horns with Azarenka, “Of course, Vika ( Azarenka ) would be a great opponent, she loves playing here, she’s been in great shape and has been playing really good tennis since the start of the week. She plays her game, she puts a lot of pressure on her opponent with an offensive game and a very good return. In any case, a big game awaits me and it will be difficult“
Though Pegula doesn’t think that she is the favorite, looking at current form, the American will go into the match with a slight advantage. Their head-to-head is tied at 2-2. Azarenka is playing her first Grand Slam quarter-finals after the US Open 2020. She booked her spot in the last eight by beating Lin Zhu: 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.
Also read: Novak Djokovic joins Andy Murray in uproar against late finishes at Australian Open
Jessica Pegula is the top seed left in the draw
The American 28-year-old Jessica Pegula reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open for the third time in a row. She has also played at least one quarter-final each in French Open and US Open. In none of these Grand Slams, she was able to move past the last eight. Hence, Pegula will be trying to give her best this time around.
In the pre-quarterfinals against Barbora Krejcikova, she did not play a perfect match. The percentage of first serves was not well enough and she was able to get only 56% of first serves in without hitting a single ace. Though she was able to patch up for that with some strong second serves, she will definitely try to improve that stat against Azarenka. The two-time Australian Open champion has nothing to lose against Pegula.
In a draw that opened up heavily in favor of the American with top two seeds Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur already out, Pegula will definitely be the player to beat for the rest of the competitors.
In case you missed it:
Stay Updated!
Vipul Payattuparambil
(552 Articles Published)