Jessica Pegula unstoppable against Zakharova in first-round showcase

Monday, 19 January 2026 at 05:32

Jessica Pegula waving to the crowd from the court at China Open

Jessica Pegula secured a comfortable straight-sets win over Anastasia Zakharova in the first round of the Australian Open, advancing to the second round with a commanding 6-2, 6-1 victory in just over an hour of play. The World No. 6 made an impressive return to the court after her abrupt loss in the Brisbane semifinals against Marta Kostuk, where she had won only three games.

The American demonstrated why she has been one of the most consistent players on tour for years and faced no trouble against a player outside the top 100 like Zakharova. The Russian won only 40% of her service points and 27% on return, while committing a total of 24 unforced errors that ultimately proved costly against Pegula.

Pegula advances past the Melbourne debut for the sixth consecutive time in her career. After reaching the quarterfinals three years in a row (2021-2023), she hopes to improve on her 2025 performance, where she only reached the third round before falling to Serbia’s Olga Danilovic.

In the second round, she will face compatriot McCartney Kessler (No. 36), who also came off an impressive first-round victory, defeating Emiliana Arango (No. 50) in straight sets.

Pegula dominates opening set

The first set was an absolute showcase for Pegula, who was nearly flawless on serve and dominated from the start with deep, aggressive shots that troubled Zakharova. The 31-year-old American conceded only two points throughout the set and secured two breaks in nine opportunities.

Zakharova struggled with her service from the outset, particularly with a poor 31% of points won on her second serve—something Pegula exploited, being especially aggressive when she got her chances. Pegula hit 10 winners compared to just eight from Zakharova.

Pegula pulls away after Zakharova’s errors continue

At the start of the second set, Zakharova continued to accumulate unforced errors, and Pegula quickly took control of the match. During a stretch with almost no long rallies, Pegula won 12 of the first 15 points, converting two consecutive breaks to take a 3-0 lead.

Pegula then faced a brief wobble, committing a couple of service errors that brought her to 0-30, and Zakharova earned her first break of the match. However, the World No. 104’s efforts were limited—she managed only 48% of first serves in the second set, winning 31% of them, and just 36% on her second serve. With 13 unforced errors, she could not hold serve again, and Pegula closed out four consecutive breaks to secure the win 6-2, 6-1 in just one hour and seven minutes.

In the second round, Pegula will face her doubles partner McCartney Kessler, against whom she has only one previous encounter—a victory in Austin 2025, 7-5, 6-2. Pegula and Kessler are also scheduled to make their doubles debut on Wednesday against the fifth-seeded pair Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani.

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Just over an hour's work ✅ Jessica Pegula through to the second round 6-2 6-1 over Zakharova.

4:20 AM · Jan 19, 2026

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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