World No.3 Jessica Pegula has wasted no time stamping her title credentials by powering into the second spherical of the Australian Open early on day one at Melbourne Park.
The 28-year-old American was the day’s first winner, needing simply 59 minutes to see off the problem of Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian 6-0 6-1.
Pegula received the opening 9 video games on Margaret Court Arena and sealed the lopsided victory with an ace.
Her second-round opponent shall be both Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich or 15-year-old Czech wunderkind Brenda Fruhvirtova, who superior via qualifying.
Pegula underlined her standing as a real likelihood to win a maiden grand slam title at Melbourne Park by crushing world No.1 and title favorite Iga Swiatek in straight units on the United Cup in Sydney in early January.
She reached the quarter-finals at her earlier two Open campaigns and was overwhelmed by eventual champ Ash Barty final yr.
Seventh seed and fellow American Coco Gauff did it more durable, needing seven match factors in a marathon ultimate sport earlier than overcoming Czech Katerina Siniakova.6-1 6-4.
“I’m really pleased with that,” mentioned the 18-year-old Gauff.
“Katerina is a fighter. I knew that she was going to fight to the last point and she proved that today.
“We had some wonderful factors in that final sport.”
Gauff is unbeaten in 2023, having started her year with a title triumph at the ASB Classic in Auckland, which included a win over countrywoman and former Australian Open champ Sofia Kenin.
American No.28 seed Amanda Anisimova became the first seeded casualty of the tournament, bowing out 6-3 6-4 to Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk.
There are 5 seeded American girls within the high half of the draw, with No.10 Madison Keys and No.13 Danielle Collins additionally in motion on Monday.
