Jessica Pegula Defeated Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-3, 6-2 Earlier Today, Saturday, January 24, 2026, to Advance to the Fourth Round of the Australian Open

Jessica Pegula put on a commanding and mature performance earlier today at the Australian Open, cruising past Russia’s Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-3, 6-2 to book her place in the fourth round in Melbourne. In a match that showcased Pegula’s consistency and tactical awareness, she controlled play from the very first point and really rarely allowed Selekhmeteva a foothold in the contest.

From the start, Pegula looked locked in. Her deep, penetrating groundstrokes pushed Selekhmeteva well behind the baseline, forcing her to scramble and play defensively. Pegula’s ability to redirect pace—and mix in well-timed drop shots—kept the young Russian off balance throughout both sets. After breaking early in the first set, Pegula maintained her cool and never let her opponent regain momentum, closing it out 6-3.

In the second set, Pegula continued to dictate rallies. Her first-serve percentage stayed high, and she won an overwhelming share of points behind it. Selekhmeteva, despite flashes of creativity and some impressive winners of her own, couldn’t string enough pressure together to challenge Pegula’s lead. When Pegula broke again to go up 4-1 in the second, just about all of the suspense drained from the match. She wrapped up the set 6-2, celebrating with a fist pump that reflected just how smoothly she handled her day.

For Pegula, reaching the fourth round at a Grand Slam is no small feat, and it’s an indication of the kind of form she’s carrying into the deeper stages of the tournament. Known for her steady baseline game and strategic smarts, Pegula has cemented herself as one of the most consistent performers on the WTA Tour. Her trip to Melbourne has been marked by disciplined tennis and smart point construction, and today was no exception.

Selekhmeteva, still early in her career, showed grit and potential, but ultimately ran into a more seasoned opponent. Her movement and shot variety hint at a bright future, but against a player like Pegula who seldom offers free points, finding openings proved difficult.

With this win, Pegula advances to face a tougher test in the fourth round—someone with equal firepower and experience. But if her performance today is any indication, she’s ready for it. Her confidence looks intact, her game sharp, and her mindset focused. Heading deeper into the Australian Open, Pegula is definitely a player to watch, and fans will be eager to see how far she can go.