WATCH: Jessica Pegula pays a touching tribute to Damar Hamlin following her first-round win at the Australian Open
Jessica Pegula uses her first-round win in the 2023 Australian Open to send good wishes to the recovering Damar Hamlin after his horrific injury earlier this year.
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Jessica Pegula and Damar Hamlin
World No. 3 Jessica Pegula had a dream start to the 2023 Australian Open. Up against World No. 161 Jaqueline Cristian, Pegula hardly broke a sweat to advance into the second round. The American wrapped up the match in 59 minutes winning 6-0, 6-1.
With a bagel in the first set and a breadstick in the second, Pegula had a good morning at Melbourne Park. Pegula was leading 3-0 in the second set as well but Cristian eventually held her serve for the first time in the match. The top-ranked American did not budge and won three games on the trot to enter the second round.
With the winning player signing the camera becoming a tradition, Pegula also followed the same. Upon the completion of her on-court interview, she gave out a special message on the camera lens. In the wake of Damar Hamlin‘s horrific injury and narrow escape, Pegula used the chance to send good wishes to the player.
Hamlin plays for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL, a team owned by Jessica’s parents Kim and Terry Pegula. Jessica had been very vocal about Hamlin’s injury and addressed it during her United Cup campaign as well. In Melbourne Park, she wrote on the camera, “Go Bills! #3” followed by a heart, with #3 being the jersey number of Hamlin.
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Jessica Pegula awaits a mystery test in the second round
Damar Hamlin had a near-death experience after his injury against Cincinnati Bengals. He was rushed to the hospital as fans around the world prayed for his recovery. Hamlin was put on a ventilator and was critical for a few days. He eventually recovered and gained enough strength to talk and even have a video call with his teammates. After shifting to multiple hospitals, he is now back home rehabilitating.
Following the first-round win, Jessica Pegula will now have to wait for her second-round opponent. The American will take on the winner from the clash between Aliaksandra Sasnovich and qualifier Brenda Fruhvirtova.
Sasnovich has surprised a few seeds earlier while Brenda is a good upcoming talent similar to her sister Linda Fruhvirtova. With the match scheduled on Day 1 itself, it won’t be a long wait for Pegula to know her second-round opponent.
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Sarthak Shitole
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