Jessica Pegula Won Her Second-Round Match Today, January 22, 2026, at the Australian Open, Defeating Fellow American McCartney Kessler in Straight Sets, 6-0, 6-2

Jessica Pegula delivered a commanding performance at the 2026 Australian Open today, January 22, advancing to the third round with a dominant 6-0, 6-2 win over her compatriot McCartney Kessler. From the opening serve to the final point, Pegula controlled the match with aggressive precision and unshakeable focus, sending a clear message that she means business in Melbourne this year.

Right out of the gate, Pegula came out firing. She was sharp, confident, and virtually untouchable in the first set, dropping zero games. Her deep, penetrating groundstrokes regularly pushed Kessler off the court, and Pegula’s returning was splendid—breaking serve early and often. It was as close to perfection as a professional match gets. The 6-0 first set wasn’t just a scoreline—it was a statement. Pegula wasn’t just winning games, she was dominating them.

Kessler, a rising American talent, showed flashes of promise and battled hard, but the level of intensity and experience Pegula brought proved too high a hurdle on this day. In the second set, Kessler managed to hold serve a couple of times and showed glimpses of grit, but Pegula’s consistency and strategic shot selection kept her in full control. The final 6-2 score underscored Pegula’s clear superiority on Rod Laver Arena.

This victory is significant not just for the scoreline, but for the confidence boost it gives Pegula moving deeper into the draw. After an up-and-down start to her season, she looked every bit the seasoned contender we’ve come to expect. Her all-court game—balanced between power from the baseline and smart net approaches—was firing on all cylinders. It was one of those days where nothing felt out of place.

For Kessler, despite the loss, there’s plenty to take away. Competing on one of tennis’s biggest stages against a top player like Pegula is a valuable experience, and showing poise amid adversity will surely help fuel her growth on tour.

As for Pegula? She now turns her attention to a tougher third-round test, and if today’s performance is any indication, she’s ready. Dominant serving, crisp groundstrokes, and tactical brilliance—Jessica Pegula brought all of it. In a Grand Slam where every match feels like a battle, she just won hers convincingly. Stay tuned—this Australian Open just got more interesting with Pegula’s journey still underway.