Photo credit: ATX Open Facebook
North American hard courts are demanding stages.
Jessica Pegula continues delivering dynamic on pressure platforms.
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The top-seeded Pegula tore through 11 of the last 14 games defeating McCartney Kessler 7-5, 6-2 in today’s Austin final to collect her seventh career title.
In the first all-American Tour-level final on U.S. soil since Sloane Stephens swept buddy Madison Keys in the 2017 US Open title match, Pegula tamed the talented Kessler and some unruly 15 mph winds that sometimes sent her forehand sailing long in the first set.
Five of Pegula’s seven career titles—Austin, Toronto, Montreal, Guadalajara, Washington, DC—have come on North American hard courts where her flat strikes and proactive court positioning play are rewarded.
US Open finalist Pegula has now reached finals in her last four North American tournaments: Austin, 2024 US Open, 2024 Cincinnati and 2024 Toronto.
This title run could serve as a springboard for Sunshine Double success: Pegula has reached the Miami Open semifinals in two of her lat three appearances in South Florida.
Down 2-4, Pegula dialed in her drives, protected her second serve with more care and showed her superior skills in the frontcourt—the former doubles world No. 1 won a couple of key scrambling points near net—to complete her comeback in one hour, 23 minutes.
“I want to congratulate McCartney—it’s been nice getting to know you and your team a little bit,” Pegula said. “You guys have been doing amazing. I’ve been watching you a lot and kind of hoping may we would play a final here. So I’m glad we did.
“Obviously, I’m sure you wish it went the other way, but I wish you all the best in doubles, coming up next, I hope everyone can stay and watch that as well.
It’s been a tremendous week for world No. 48 Kessler, who reached both singles and doubles finals partnering Zhang Shuai.
Driving deep returns, Kessler ran off four games in a row going up 4-2 and later held a break point that would have given her a 6-5 lead. But costly miscues in the most meaningful moments hurt Kessler, who was playing her second final of the season.
“I want to congratulate Jessica on a great week—you’re an amazing competitor and player so I’m happy to be sharing a court with you,” Kessler said. “Obviously, not the result I wanted today. Hopefully, I can redeem myself in doubles coming up in a little bit.”
As the breeze blew the back of her white skirt, Pegula slid a serve winner wide, snapping a four-game slide in holding for 3-4.
While Kessler has good instinct for the attack, her finishing volleys were not quite as precise as Pegula today. Kessler pushed a high backhand volley long—a costly error as she surrendered serve on the next point. Pegula leveled at 4-all.
Pouncing on second serve returns, Kessler drew a netted forehand for break point in the 11th game. Poised to break and serve for the set, Kessler cranked a deep return, was in command of the point, but sprayed a backhand down the line wide.
Given that lifeline, Pegula targeted Kessler’s forehand drawing a pair of errors to earn a hard-fought hold for 6-5.
Though Kessler was earning opportunities, she couldn’t consistently find the closing shot.
Dialing in her targets in concession to the wind, Pegula bolted a backhand pass down the line in the 12th game. That strike helped her earn a second set point.
A jittery Kessler double faulted away the set then bounced her Wilson Blade in disgust as Pegula fought back from 2-4 down to take the 50-minute opener playing with more control on pivotal points.
The pair exchanged breaks to start the second set. Pegula streaked through four straight games stretching her lead to 4-1.
The US Open finalist scored her sixth break of the final to wrap a one hour, 23-minute win and her seventh career championship.