“We’re seeing so many different storylines in women’s tennis and I think that’s why it’s so exciting to watch,” Jessica Pegula said, applauding Belinda Bencic and Madison Keys’ adaptability at the Qatar Open. The judgment period is over as she begins her campaign. The American WTA star, who advanced to the top 32 with a bye, now faces a real challenge. After a three-week break following her Australian Open exit, she will take on Elina Svitolina, who recently recovered from a foot injury. Here’s a match prediction based on their recent stats and form.

Jessica Pegula vs Elina Svitolina: Preview

Jessica Pegula, currently ranked World No. 5, had a strong start to her 2025 season, reaching the Adelaide International final with a dominant semifinal win over Yulia Putintseva. In the championship match, she faced fellow American Madison Keys but fell in three sets.

At the Australian Open, Pegula opened with a straight-sets victory against Maya Joint before suffering a third-round exit to Serbia’s Olga Danilović in a 1-hour, 30-minute match. Danilović delivered a strong performance by hitting 28 winners and saving all six break points to secure a 7-6(3), 6-1 victory.

Elina Svitolina kicked off her 2025 season with a notable performance at the Australian Open. She advanced to the quarter-finals for the third time in Melbourne, but got beaten by American Madison Keys in a three-set match, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. This marked Svitolina’s twelfth Grand Slam quarter-final appearance and her first in Melbourne since 2019. She also tested her luck at the Linz Open, where she was stunned with an opening round exit against Anna Blinkova.

Pegula vs Elina Svitolina: Head-to-head

Jessica Pegula and Elina Svitolina have played against each other six times, with Pegula leading their matchups 4-2. Here’s a detailed breakdown of their past meetings:

• 2024 Paris Olympics (Clay Court, Second Round): Svitolina won 4-6, 6-1, 6-3.

• 2023 US Open (Hard Court, Round of 32): Pegula won 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

• 2023 Washington (Hard Court, Quarter Final): Pegula won 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

• 2021 Indian Wells Open (Hard Court, Round of 16): Pegula won 6-1, 6-1.
• 2021 Australian Open (Hard Court, Round of 16): Pegula won 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
• 2021 Abu Dhabi Open (Hard Court, First Round): Svitolina won 6-4, 6-3.

Prediction: Pegula to win in three sets

Jessica Pegula has been in strong form on hard courts, with a solid 5-2 record in 2025 and a runner-up finish in Adelaide. Her aggressive baseline game, powerful flat groundstrokes, and tactical shot placement would help in breaking down Svitolina’s defense. Pegula has also proven she can handle top competition, securing wins over elite players like Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka in the past. If she can maintain her attacking style and take control of rallies early, she will have the upper hand in this matchup.

Elina Svitolina, however, will not go down easily. She has started the season with a 5-2 record and is playing well on hard courts. Her defensive skills, quick movement, and ability to extend rallies could frustrate Pegula at times. However, her serve has been inconsistent, as seen in her last match, where she landed only 54% of her first serves. Against a player like Pegula, who is strong on return, this could be a big weakness. Svitolina will likely try to counter Pegula’s power and force errors, but she may struggle to maintain control against Pegula’s aggressive play.

Ultimately, Pegula’s attacking game and experience on hard courts should help her come out on top. Svitolina’s defensive skills will likely push this match to three sets, but Pegula’s ability to dictate points and finish at the net should give her the edge.