Jessica Pegula has started the 2025 season with a bang. Currently competing at the Adelaide International, she has reached the semifinals after Ashlyn Krueger retired due to a right thigh injury while Pegula led 6-4, 2-0. The American, who was one of the finalists in the US Open last year, will be one of the players to watch out for, at the upcoming AO and the draws that were released on Thursday seem to favor her as well. While her compatriot Coco Gauff is set to face tough competitors, Pegula seems to have a smoother path.

Fresh off her United Cup victory, where she won every match, Coco Gauff is eager to win the Australian Open. However, it’s not going to be an easy ride. Her campaign begins against fellow American Sofia Kenin, who leads their H2H 2-1. However, what’s worth noting is after losing to Kenin in the first round of Wimbledon in 2023, Gauff has shown significant improvement. She is a different player now.

If Gauff advances, she may meet Jodie Anna Burrage or a qualifier in the second round, followed by a potential third-round clash with Leylah Fernandez, whom she defeated at the United Cup. The fourth round could see her up against either Karolina Muchova or Jelena Ostapenko, both tough opponents. If Gauff successfully navigates these hurdles, a highly anticipated quarterfinal matchup with Pegula awaits.

Pegula, on the other hand, will face wildcard Maya Joint in her first round. Joint is climbing the rankings but faces a tough challenge against Pegula, who boasts a career-high ranking of No. 3. Should she progress to round two, Pegula might meet Elise Mertens, who leads their head-to-head record 3-0. Their last encounter was at Roland Garros in 2023, where Mertens won convincingly. This could be Jessica Pegula’s biggest challenge.

In the fourth round, Pegula could encounter either Paula Badosa or Marta Kostyuk. Both players pose significant threats to her advancement. Kostyuk recently defeated Pegula at the 2024 San Diego Open after rallying from a 5-1 deficit. However, Pegula has an advantage over Badosa with a 3-1 head-to-head record, despite Badosa winning their last match at the 2024 China Open.

Ultimately, training and luck are crucial in high-stakes tournaments. Pegula is determined to take home a major title and often reflects on her experience at the finals of the 2024 US Open. That moment fuels her motivation to reach that level again as she prepares for this year’s Australian Open.

Pegula is still riding high on her 2024 US Open Finals entry

To recap, last year, Jessica Pegula defeated then-World No. 1 Iga Swiatek and Karolina Muchova in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively. However, she faced a tough challenge in the final against Aryna Sabalenka, ultimately losing 7-5, 7-5. Reflecting on her journey four months later at a January 4 press conference ahead of the Adelaide International, where she is competing in doubles with Ashlyn Krueger, Pegula shared her thoughts on the experience.

When asked if her US Open experience still felt fresh, she replied, “Yeah, definitely. It’s funny how it feels like so long ago, but also feels like last week at the same time. Tennis is weird like that.” Despite the tough loss, reaching her first Grand Slam final was a significant achievement that continues to inspire her.

Pegula expressed that this experience fuels her motivation for the current season: “It’s definitely a motivation for me to want to do well this year and keep going for my goals and everything that I’ve set out for myself this year.” As the draw for the Australian Open inches closer, it’s curious to see how Pegula’s past experiences will influence her performance. Will she make it to the finals of another Grand Slam? Share your thoughts in the comments below!