After three consecutive heartbreaks in the final eight between 2021 and 2023, Jessica Pegula has finally broken through the "quarter-final wall" at Melbourne Park. In an all-American showdown on Rod Laver Arena, the 6th-seeded Pegula dismantled the 4th-seeded Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 7-6(1) in 1 hour and 35 minutes.
While both players entered the match without having dropped a set in the tournament, the statistical gulf on Wednesday was vast. Pegula’s "keep it clean" philosophy triumphed over Anisimova’s high-risk, high-error output.
Pegula dominated the first set, racing to a 5-1 lead in just 20 minutes and closed it out with an ace. However, the second set tested her resolve as Anisimova began to play with nothing to lose.
The second set: Anisimova earned her first break for a 5-3 lead, threatening to push the match to a decider.
The response: Pegula immediately broke back, eventually forcing a tiebreak.
The tiebreak clinic: Pegula flipped the switch, reeling off seven straight points after an early 3-1 lead. A frustrated Anisimova was seen striking the court with her racquet as her unforced error count mounted to 44.
I’ve been waiting for the time where I could kind of break through. I’ve always felt like, even matches I’ve lost here, that I’ve played well. I just told myself to gear right back up; I really didn't want to go to a third set
Jessica Pegula
Pegula is not just winning; she is rewriting the history of domestic dominance in Melbourne. She is the first American woman since Gigi Fernandez in 1993 to defeat three compatriots in a single Australian Open:
2nd Round: McCartney Kessler
4th Round: Madison Keys (Defending Champion)
Quarter-Final: Amanda Anisimova
The road to a maiden Grand Slam title now goes through the 5th seed, Elena Rybakina, who earlier stunned world No. 2 Iga Swiatek. The head-to-head record between Pegula and Rybakina is perfectly split at 3-3 (or 6 total meetings), promising a "cool as a cucumber" clash of styles.
She has a massive serve, big groundies... she’s been playing some great tennis. I’m going to do my best to hopefully crack the code on her
Jessica Pegula
