MATCH REPORT | 2024 Adelaide International: Jessica PEGULA’s turnaround triumph battling past Bernarda PERA

Jessica Pegula had to turn the match around in her victory against Bernarda Pera in the second round of the WTA 500 Adelaide International. The world No. 5 faced difficulties against her compatriot but managed to secure her spot in the third round with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 win.

Bernarda Pera reached the second round through qualifying and fell to Katerina Siniakova, but she gained access to the main draw as a lucky loser and clinched a first-round victory against Paula Badosa (3-6, 6-2, 6-3), who was returning after six months out of competition.

On Pegula's side, she played in the United Cup with the United States, but they were eliminated in the first round, with one loss to Katie Boulter (7-5, 6-4, 6-4) and a win against Alja Tomljanovic (7-6, 6-3).

In the first set, Pera started with some doubts, and Pegula quickly had three break points in her favor, although the world No. 69 saved them. Pegula eventually secured the break on her fifth opportunity and took a 2-0 lead with the serve. Pera gradually got into the game and broke back to level at 2-2. Both players maintained equality, with Pera facing greater difficulties on her serve, saving several break points but managing to reach 5-4. In a long game that ended in favor of Pera on her third set point, she took a 6-4 lead.

Despite the equality in the first set, Pera was more effective in crucial moments, saving 9 out of 10 break points against her and capitalizing on 2 of her four break opportunities. Additionally, she exploited Pegula's service deficiencies and won 68% of the points with the second serve.

After showing clear difficulties in her service, Jessica Pegula went on the offensive in the second set, securing two consecutive breaks to take a 5-1 lead in just over 20 minutes. Although she had two set points in her favor in the next game, Pera saved them and defended her service. However, Pegula seized a new opportunity and closed out the set 6-2 to level the match.

he third set was again favorable to Pegula from the start as she took an early break to lead 2-0. Pera equalized in the sixth game with a break, but Pegula quickly recovered it. The world No. 5 saved five break points to take a 5-3 lead and finally secured the break to finish the set 6-3.

The advantage was enough to seal the match in her favor with a final score of 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. In the third round, she will face the winner of the match between Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (No. 51) and the Czech Katerina Siniakova (No. 49).