Australian Open: Jessica Pegula passes tough Aliaksandra Sasnovich test to reach third round in Melbourne

Jessica Pegula is into the third round of the Australian Open for the third time in her career with a 6-2 7-6(5) win over Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

Pegula has extended her winning streak to six matches in all competitions after registering back-to-back straight set wins at this year’s Australian Open.

The 28-year-old will face either Australia’s Olivia Gadecki or Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk next on Friday.

When asked Pegula was asked in her on-court interview whether she can go a step further than the quarter-finals, she said: “I hope so. That’s the plan.

“Every tournament you want to take it one match at a time, but at the same time you want to have those big goals. Definitely going as far as possible these few weeks is my main priority.

“But it’s tough out there so I’m just trying to take it one match at a time.”

Just like in her first round match, Pegula, whose parents Terry and Kim own NFL side Buffalo Bills, paid tribute to American footballer Damar Hamlin again by emblazoning the number three on her skirt.

Hamlin is currently recovering after going into cardiac arrest during a Bills game against the Cincinnati Bengals earlier this month.

Pegula added: “One of the football players obviously had a really tragic accident.

“I was just trying to show some support and try and bridge Australia with Buffalo in New York – which is kind of strange to bridge those two worlds together – and he’s recovered amazing. It’s been awesome to see.”

Pegula came out on top in a topsy-turvy first set which she initially looked to be in complete control off as she raced into a 4-1 lead.

But a poor unforced error from the American at the net where she struck a forehand long saw Sasnovich pull a break back before Pegula then broke her serve for the second time in the match. Nevertheless, Pegula converted her second set point with Sasnovich overcooking a backhand return.

Pegula immediately went a break up at the start of the second set with a fierce backhand return on Sasnovich’s second serve putting her in full control of the match.

Momentum surprisingly switched in the sixth game when Sasnovich broke back to make it 3-3 following an unforced error from Pegula.

But in the very next game Pegula only had to play three shots to get to 0-40 before a forehand into the net from Sasnovich restored the world No. 3’s advantage.

A devastating backhand winner got Pegula into the position to serve for the match, but the net cord did Sasnovich a favour and she broke back to make it 5-5.

Both players battled to a tie-break and it was Pegula who came out on top, breaking the Sasnovich serve four times to seal the victory.

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