Ash Barty has the chance to make her second Australian Open semi-final when she takes on American Jessica Pegula in the women’s singles quarterfinals. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7pm AEDT.
Barty comes into the match in red-hot form. She’s only been on court for a tick over four hours in her four matches and has lost just 15 games in the entire tournament.
Her latest win in the fourth round was perhaps the most impressive with a clinical performance against Amanda Anisimova who had just knocked off the defending champion Naomi Osaka.
While Barty prefers day matches in Melbourne she’s shown she’s just as dominant at night and hasn’t been overawed by the occasion. Why would she, when she’s been World No.1 for more than 100 weeks in her career?
Of course you don’t make the quarterfinals of a grand slam unless you’re playing good tennis and no.21 seed Jessica Pegula has been doing just that.
She’s only defeated one top seed but that just so happened to be the no.5 seed in Maria Sakkari including a first set tiebreak where Pegula won every single point.
Pegula made the quarterfinals here last year where she lost in three sets to fellow American Jennifer Brady.
These two have met just once before when Barty won 6-3, 6-3 on the clay at Roland Garros when Barty went onto win her first grand slam in 2019.
Venue: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Start Time: approx. 7.10pm (AEDT)
TV/Stream: Channel 9, 9Now, Stan Sport
Betting: Barty: $1.12; Pegula: $6.20 (odds via PlayUp)
jameswm
Roar Guru
How good was that? So grounded and measured. Very proud to be from the same country - hard not to be impressed by Ash as a person as well as a player.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Or even a 3rd break...
jameswm
Roar Guru
That was supposed to be the case in the previous round against the Osaka-killer.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining the blog tonight. I will be back for the BBL prelim tomorrow and then back on Thursday when Ash Barty will be looking for a spot in the Australian Open final!
David Holden
Roar Guru
Barty will play Madison Keys in the semi-finals on Thursday, with Keys return to form one of the real highlights of the tournament. Once again, big contrasting styles so should be a great contest
JGK
Roar Guru
That was absolute destruction. Keys’ power will be a different challenge though.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Ash Barty's run in the Australian Open has continued with a 6-2 6-0 win over Jessica Pegula. I thought she committed a few too many unforced errors in the first set but the second set was near flawless. Barty used her backhand slice well as usual whilst her serve and forehand produced the winners. Pegula just couldn't get the chance to play her game.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
Excellent result. She's looking good
David Holden
Roar Guru
ASH BARTY DEFEATS JESSICA PEGULA 6-2 6-0
David Holden
Roar Guru
Big serving again from Ash and she has won in 63 minutes Barty 6 6 Pegula 2 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
Barty just long with the forehand. 40-15
David Holden
Roar Guru
Serve down the T for 3 match points. 40-0
David Holden
Roar Guru
Too good from Barty who finishes with the forehand winner. 30-0
David Holden
Roar Guru
Big serve down the T wins the first point. 15-0
David Holden
Roar Guru
Forehand cross court proves too good. Barty breaks again and will serve for the match Barty 6 5 Pegula 2 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
Pegula sends the forehand wide and break point
David Holden
Roar Guru
Pegula nets the forehand and back to Deuce
David Holden
Roar Guru
Double fault again. 40-30
David Holden
Roar Guru
Double fault. 40-15
David Holden
Roar Guru
Nice work from Pegula with the forehand winner. 40-0