Keys overcomes second-set struggle, Pegula happy after straight win

VIDEO SHOWS: POST-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE COMMENTS FROM MADISON KEYS, JESSICA PEGULA, JAKUB MENSIK AND LUCIANO DARDERI AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN  RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SHOTLIST  SHOWS: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (JANUARY 22, 2026) (TENNIS AUSTRALIA – See restrictions) STORY: Two of the top four American women's tennis players appear headed for a showdown in the round of 16 in the Australian Open. However, sixth seed Jessica Pegula and number nine defending champion Madison Keys are not quite there yet. Both veterans won their second-round matches over countrywomen in Melbourne on Thursday (January 22), as Pegula cruised past new doubles partner McCartney Kessler 6-0 6-2 and Keys ousted Ashlyn Krueger, 6-1 7-5. Of course, any opponent making it to the third round of a major could pose a threat to Pegula or Keys. The reigning champ will have to face resurgent and former world number one Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic, who knocked off Janice Tjen of Indonesia 6-4 6-4. Pegula might have been expecting to see number 25 Paula Badosa on the other side of the net in the third round, but the Spainard was dismissed by Russian Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-4 6-4. Selekhmeteva had never been past the first round of a major championship. Pegula took control from the outset, playing her usual brand of controlled tennis. She hit 10 winners and made only two unforced errors in the first set, which lasted just 21 minutes. Kessler dropped the first eight games of the match before holding serve at love and then evening the second set at 2-2 by converting her second break-point chance of the fourth game. However, Pegula broke right back and was never threatened thereafter. In the men's contest, 16th seed Jakub Mensik made quick work of Spanish qualifier Rafael Jodar, winning 6-2 6-4 6-4 in less than two hours, while Spanish number 22 Luciano Darderi battled past Sebastian Baez 6-3 1-6 6-4 6-3.  (Production: Suramya Kaushik)

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