Pegula takes final 9 video games, advances to Dubai Spherical of 16

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Jessica Pegula entered Dubai having not performed in roughly 20 days. 

The World No. 5 — who got here off a stellar semifinal run on the Australian Open — elected to not partake within the first two tournaments within the Middle East swing on the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz, moderately heading again house to the United States to get well. 

Dubai: Scores |  Draws | Order of play 

As the No. 4 seed, Pegula had a bye into the second spherical, the place she actually appeared rejuvenated and dominant in Tuesday’s routine 6-4, 6-0 win over qualifier Varvara Gracheva. Pegula wanted simply 70 minutes to advance to the third spherical and awaits the winner of Iva Jovic and Diana Shnaider.

“It feels good,” Pegula said to wtatennis.com. “lt’s all the time form of bizarre coming off such an excellent results of a Slam, and first week, again enjoying — and skipping final week — it is all the time slightly bizarre. I really feel like I’m enjoying, however I’m practising, but it surely takes some time to form of get that edge form of again.

“I had some adversity within the first set after which was in a position to play a very clear from then on.”

Pegula scored an early break and maintain to steer 2-0 within the first set, however Gracheva stayed in it and bought it again on serve with a 4-3 lead. After Pegula by no means appeared again, claiming the ultimate 9 video games and the straight units win. 

Here are the numbers that outlined and contextualize Pegula’s victory over Gracheva Tuesday:

1: Pegula conceded only one break within the match, coming within the first set as Gracheva bought it again in serve. Furthermore, amongst Pegula’s strong service sport, she had only one double fault within the match. 

2: This is the American’s second win over Gracheva on the WTA Tour, having final performed in Cincinnati in 2020. Pegula received that match in a detailed 7-5, 7-6 (8) win. 

4: The scoreline might have been nearer, if it wasn’t for Pegula’s means to carry serve. She saved 4-of-5 break factors confronted, together with within the fourth sport the place — trailing 15-40 — Pegula received 4 straight factors to carry serve. 

5: On the return, Pegula notched 5 breaks. Arguably essentially the most pivotal was within the first set to take a 5-4 lead as Gracheva’s forehand shot down the road stayed vast. Pegula then served for the set, and scored three extra breaks within the second set bagel. 

9: It was evident Gracheva was getting drained because the match progressed, and Pegula capitalized, taking the ultimate 9 video games to safe the win.

94: Pegula landed 45-of-48 (94%) of her first serves within the match, together with 4 aces and one which secured the primary set. She received practically 70% of her first-service factors, and on the return, received 50% of Gracheva’s first-service factors.

“I used to be serving very well, hitting all my spots,” Pegula said. “I used to be doing an excellent job of getting forward within the service video games. I felt like I had slightly little bit of a window, mixing up my spots and form of going for some larger serves and possibly getting a few aces right here and there.

“It’s one thing I’ve been engaged on rather a lot, so I’m glad I used to be in a position to make the most of that right this moment.”

What’s subsequent?

Pegula awaits the winner of Iva Jovic [16] and Diana Shnaider. Similar to Pegula, Jovic is enjoying in her first event since a quarterfinal run in Melbourne, whereas Shnaider is within the third spherical of a event for the primary time since Adelaide final month.

Pegula has by no means performed Jovic, however holds a 2-0 head over Shnaider — they had been each straight set wins on onerous court docket on the US Open and National Bank Open in 2024. 

“I feel that is going to be a very robust match for each of them,” Pegula said. “I feel it will be a troublesome match for me. I all the time have shut matches with Diana, and Iva, we have by no means performed, however I really feel like she form of performs like a mini-me, so it will be robust.

“[Iva’s] going to don’t have anything to lose, and she or he’s been actually scorching, beating and profitable plenty of matches this yr. Either means, it will be an attention-grabbing matchup, particularly in these form of hotter, quick situations. We’ll see the way it goes.”