World No.3 Jessica Pegula is assured her heartbreaking run of grand slam quarter-final exits is laying the bottom work for her to genuinely contend for a breakthrough main.
Pegula’s straight-sets loss to Victoria Azarenka on Wednesday marked her third consecutive Australian Open quarter-final defeat and the fifth time in six slams she has departed at that time.
The 28-year-old American had been favoured to kick on for a maiden triumph after an imposing begin to her summer season, together with thrashing world No.1 Iga Swiatek in her starring function within the US’s United Cup triumph.
She did not drop a set within the first 4 rounds earlier than her 6-4 6-1 loss to two-time champion Azarenka.
“I need to also, like, take a step back and look that I made three quarter-finals in three years,” Pegula informed reporters.
“I mean, judging by where I was from the first quarterfinal, I’ve definitely come a long way. I can be …. a perfectionist and really tough on myself.
“Obviously I’m upset about tonight, however on the similar time, I’m placing myself in these positions to go deep in these tournaments. I believe I’ve confirmed that. I’ve been tremendous constant.
“So I think just keeping a good mindset that I’m putting myself in position at all these events.
“Hopefully it comes collectively. I positively need to do higher. I need to do extra.
“My takeaway would just be that I’m right there and every match is tough, but I think my mindset and the way I was playing in Sydney and here, I think my level’s really high right now.”
Pegula was adamant her report in quarter-finals hadn’t been hanging over her.
“Of course, you’re excited, you’re deeper in a tournament, feature match,” she stated.
“At the same time once you get out there, you’re just trying to win the match. I don’t really think it had much effect on me.
“Obviously afterwards, now, it sucks as a result of I want I might have made a semi, however it’s what it’s.”
Pegula relished the opportunity to quickly move on when she and compatriot Coco Gauff feature in their doubles quarter-final on Wednesday.
The No.2 seeds take on 11th seeds Chan Hao-Ching and Yang Zhaoxuan.
“It truly helps that I’m taking part in doubles tomorrow as a result of I haven’t got a lot time to sulk round and type of be in my emotions,” Pegula said.
She added she would be upset by the defeat but “tomorrow is simply one other likelihood to get one other win, to get a greater feeling, to return and be in a aggressive mindset, hopefully do properly within the doubles. I nonetheless need to win.”
