Jessica Pegula Continues Dream Run at Australian Open 2021, Stuns Elina Svitolina in R4

The fourth-round game between Elina Svitolina and Jessica Pegula saw a slow start for the former. Svitolina allowed Pegula to dictate the match and lost set 1. She was playing this match to make it into the quarters just as she did a week ago at WTA Melbourne 2.

But unfortunately for Elina, she could not repeat what she did against Coco Gauff and lost the match. Jessica Pegula won the match 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in an upset win. 

The first set went to the stunning Jessica Pegula

Jessica Pegula has really done some damage on her way to the fourth round at the Australian Open. She first sent the Belarusian Victoria Azarenka packing and then stunned an experienced Sam Stosur in a lightning-quick match.

Surprisingly enough, she continued the same against the 5th seed and clear favorite Elina Svitolina too. 

It was Game 7 of the first set when Pegula broke Elina for the first time. The Ukrainian player made an unfortunate double-fault to find a corner for an ace but failed and gave away a crucial game.

The 26-YO American did not allow any breakpoint attempt and looked super efficient at her volleys. She made Elina work hard for every single point, and that worked in her favor. What’s more, her controlled first serves made an important impact against Elina.

Elina Svitolina fought her way back

The second set began with yet another scare for Elina Svitolina, who lost Game 1. However, she bounced back so ferociously that she won the next four games in a jiffy, with way too many unforced errors coming from her opponent.

It was not until Game 6 that Pegula could put a fightback. But it was the Ukrainian that started taking more risks and won the set in 40 minutes.

Pegula gained her match-winning momentum and power

The hard-hitting Pegula started being dominant again and won the fourth game to break Svitolina’s serve. She ensured that she wears out Elina by forcing her to run corner-to-corner with her precise cross-court hitting.

Jess put a lot of pressure on Elina’s serve and in a blink of an eye, she was 4-1 in the decisive set. But a double-fault from Jessica in Game 7 helped the score get even at 4-3 when she broke Elina yet again. In the end, the brave player won.

READ MORE- Elina Svitolina Reveals What She Needs to Do to Win Australian Open 2021