Pegula Leads American Charge Into Australian Open Quarterfinals

Melbourne Park was abuzz with excitement on Monday, January 26, 2026, as the Australian Open delivered a dramatic Day 9 packed with historic milestones, intense rivalries, and the ever-present challenge of the sweltering Australian summer. For American tennis, it was a day to remember, with Jessica Pegula leading a resurgence that hasn’t been seen down under in a quarter-century.

Jessica Pegula, always the steady competitor, turned heads by defeating her friend and defending champion Madison Keys 6-3, 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena. In a match that was as much about mental fortitude as it was about talent, Pegula’s victory didn’t just end Keys’ title defense—it booked her a spot in the quarterfinals against another American, Amanda Anisimova. The result? Four Americans in the women’s singles last eight at the Australian Open for the first time since 2001. That’s right, not since the days of Serena and Venus Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Monica Seles, and Lindsay Davenport have so many American women advanced this far in Melbourne.

The significance wasn’t lost on the players. Amanda Anisimova, who secured her own quarterfinal berth with a gritty 7-6 (4), 6-4 win over Wang Xinyu, summed up the bittersweet nature of the all-American clash ahead: “Sucks that one American has to go out in the quarterfinals,” she remarked. Pegula, ever the optimist, put a positive spin on it: “At least one of us will get through and I think that’s great for American tennis. Yeah, it’s been pretty crazy how well the women have been doing and how many top-ranked girls there are. I’m just happy to be a part of that conversation.”

Both Pegula and Anisimova advanced a day after No. 3 seed Coco Gauff and 18-year-old Iva Jovic secured their own spots in the last eight, setting up a tantalizing scenario where American women could potentially dominate the business end of the tournament. For Pegula, this marks her fourth trip to the Australian Open quarterfinals, though she’s never gone further. Anisimova, meanwhile, is breaking new ground with her first quarterfinal appearance in Melbourne, adding to her runner-up finishes at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in the past year.

Pegula’s performance against Keys was nothing short of clinical. She raced to 4-1 leads in both sets, controlling the tempo and keeping the defending champion on the back foot. “I have been seeing, hitting, moving, I feel very well this whole tournament, and to be able to keep that up against such a great player as Maddie and defending champion was going to be a lot tougher of a task today,” Pegula said. “I was still able to do that really well.” Keys, for her part, acknowledged the challenge: “I felt if I didn’t hit a really good ball immediately, she was in charge of the points. I was kind of struggling to kind of get that dominance back.”

It was a match played under rising temperatures, with tournament organizers activating the heat stress policy to allow for extra cooling breaks. The mercury’s climb didn’t seem to faze Anisimova in her win over Wang Xinyu, though she did note the unique atmosphere: “What a battle out there. Tough conditions against a really good opponent. There were a lot of fans from China today but, honestly, it made the atmosphere great.”

Elsewhere, the women’s draw continues to heat up—literally and figuratively. No. 2 seed Iga Świątek marched on with a dominant 6-0, 6-3 victory over home qualifier Maddison Inglis. Świątek, who is chasing a career Grand Slam, gave the center court crowd little to cheer for on Australia Day, but her focus remains unshaken. Her next challenge? No. 5 Elena Rybakina, last year’s runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka, in what promises to be a blockbuster quarterfinal.

The men’s side of the draw also delivered its share of drama and milestones. Three Italian men entered the day, but only two would survive. Jannik Sinner, the two-time defending champion, overcame compatriot Luciano Darderi 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (2) in a match that was far less stressful than his previous round, when he battled heat and cramping against Eliot Spizzirri. On Monday, Sinner was in command, serving a personal best 19 aces and taking the last seven points of the tiebreaker. “I felt lucky to survive the third round,” Sinner admitted after that scare, but against Darderi, he looked every bit the champion.

Lorenzo Musetti, just 23, reached his first Australian Open quarterfinal with a 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 win over a struggling Taylor Fritz. This result means Musetti has now reached the quarterfinals at all four Grand Slams—a remarkable feat for the young Italian. His journey in Melbourne has been anything but smooth, with members of his support team forced to return home for personal reasons and his own family remaining in Italy following the birth of his second son in November. “I feel more mature on the court. I’m playing better for that, and for them,” Musetti said, reflecting on the personal growth that’s come with new responsibilities.

Awaiting Musetti in the next round is none other than Novak Djokovic. The 24-time major winner advanced to the quarterfinals without lifting a racquet on Monday, after his scheduled opponent, Jakub Mensik, withdrew with an abdominal injury. Djokovic, who was set to be the feature night match at Rod Laver Arena, will be well-rested as he looks to add yet another chapter to his storied career.

And if the tennis hasn’t been hot enough, the weather certainly has. A forecast maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) is expected on Tuesday, prompting organizers to plan early gate openings and likely keep the retractable roofs closed on the three main arenas. The heat stress policy will remain in effect, ensuring player safety as the tournament enters its most crucial stages. Fans, meanwhile, are bracing for the furnace-like conditions, hoping the action on court will be just as sizzling.

As Day 9 draws to a close, the 2026 Australian Open has already delivered its fair share of surprises, milestones, and emotional moments. With an all-American quarterfinal showdown set and several top contenders still in the hunt, the stage is perfectly set for more drama in Melbourne. Whether it’s the next American breakthrough, a new champion emerging, or a legend like Djokovic extending his legacy, tennis fans worldwide will be glued to every point as the action continues.