Jessica Pegula marked her return from injury with commanding play at the 2025 Adelaide International, showcasing her readiness for the upcoming Australian Open. The American top seed displayed her impressive skills, defeating Maria Sakkari of Greece 6-4, 6-1 at the Memorial Drive Tennis Centre.
This match, lasting just 73 minutes, was Pegula's first since she withdrew from the WTA Finals back in November due to a knee injury. Her recent performances have been under the spotlight, particularly after reaching her first major singles final at the US Open last September, where she finished as the runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka.
Pegula, now entering the Australian Open as the seventh seed, expressed confidence post-match: "It's always tough getting the first win of the year, you don't know what to expect. But it's good heading to Melbourne next week. My focus is on doing well here first. It's fun to problem-solve on court and have a good attitude to start the year." Next up for Pegula is compatriot Ashlyn Krueger, who secured her spot by defeating Spain's Paula Badosa.
The Adelaide International draw has been competitive, featuring high-stakes matches and challenges for leading players. Recent Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova faced another setback as she retired injured during her round against Diana Shnaider. Vondrousova was leading 6-4, 1-1 before suffering from discomfort, raising concerns about her upcoming participation at the Australian Open.
Meanwhile, Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, another fan favorite and two-time Wimbledon finalist, exited the tournament early after losing to Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva. Jabeur was defeated 6-2, 6-4, highlighting the unexpected twists present at the event.
Felix Auger-Aliassime from Canada displayed resilience in the men’s event by coming back to beat France’s Arthur Cazaux 1-6, 6-4, 7-5, showcasing the energy of competitive spirit. Top seed Tommy Paul also proceeded to the next rounds, defeating lucky loser Manuel Guinard 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
Defending champion Jelena Ostapenko initially struggled against Poland’s Magdalena Frech, taking the first set 4-6 but turned the match around to win 6-1, 6-1. After her rocky start, Ostapenko shared, "After the first set, I just fought for every point. I found my game and got progressively stronger," signaling her determination to defend her title.
The event is set against the backdrop of the Australian Open, with players using it as both preparation and competition. The tournament has a total purse of $1,064,510, reflecting the high stakes involved for competitors. Each match serves as both practice and performance, making for thrilling encounters.
Maria Sakkari, returning from shoulder injuries, noted her cautious optimism, stating, "I’m coming back and have not had many matches. Every match I play, I feel my game improving day by day." Her match against Pegula was anticipated as significant for both athletes.
Other notable performances include Ashlyn Krueger’s win against Marta Kostyuk, and Liudmila Samsonova overcoming Belinda Bencic after a tense three-set battle. The monsoon conditions at the tournament have added another layer of unpredictability as players adjust their strategies and mentalities for play.
The Adelaide International not only showcases top-tier tennis but also sets the stage for what’s to come at the Australian Open. Fans are enthusiastic about the upcoming matches, with several match outcomes remaining uncertain as the tournament progresses.
With many players battling injuries, recovering form, and potentially altering the dynamics, the Adelaide International is shaping up to be as dynamic and unpredictable as ever. Attention now turns to the next rounds, where each athlete's resilience and skill will be tested against their opponents.