- Jessica Pegula lost in straight sets as her Australian Open ended
- Pegula had reached the quarter-finals in Melbourne the previous three years
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Jessica Pegula, the women’s number 5 at the Australian Open, dropped out of the tournament in the second round.
Pegula lost to France’s Clara Burel in straight sets, falling 6-4, 6-2 in just an hour and 10 minutes.
The American was broken five times as Brunel hit seventeen winners to take control of the match.
“I think I had a very solid performance today,” Burel told reporters afterwards.
‘I was really focused. Yes, I didn’t let her enter this competition. Very solid and I’m very happy with today’s match.’
Jessica Pegula lost in straight sets to Clara Brunel in just over an hour at the Australian Open
And compatriot Danielle Collins (left) fell in a marathon to No. 1 seed Iga Swiatek
For Pegula, the loss represents her worst Australian Open performance since 2020 and extends her wait for a run to the last four at Grand Slam.
Pegula is 0-6 in the quarterfinals of the Slam, three of which will take place in Melbourne.
Meanwhile, compatriot (and 2022 finalist) Danielle Collins lost 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to No. 1 seed Iga Swiatek.
The match lasted a marathon of three hours and fourteen minutes, with Swiatek breaking through from a 4-4 deadlock in the final set.
“I lost 6-4 in the third to one of the best players in the world,” Collins said after the match.
“And she played great tennis. (I) left it all on the field.”
It was also a tough Wednesday for other Americans, with Frances Tiafoe and Chris Eubanks leaving the tournament early.