I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
(Melbourne) Australian Open title holder Madison Keys and her compatriot Jessica Pegula were not bothered by an earlier-than-expected start in Melbourne on Saturday.
The two Americans will now face each other in the round of 16.
The first duels started an hour earlier than planned due to forecasts of scorching temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius. However, temperatures during the first matches had not yet reached this level, being limited to 32°C.
“I served well, and I’m very happy with my performance,” Keys said after her victory. It’s very motivating to find your best tennis again, to have confidence in your game and to make the right choices. »
Pegula, for her part, indicated that the heat did not bother her: “Being a Floridian, I was prepared. »
Keys said he expects a tough match against Pegula in the fourth round.
PHOTO AARON FAVILA, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jessica Pegula
“Jess is an exceptional player, she always performs,” Keys said. She’s always on top. So it’s complicated to be friends. »
Keys and Pegula, as well as several other WTA players, host a podcast called “The Player’s Box” which chronicles their daily lives on the circuit.
“I think we have to record one before the game, we’ll see,” Keys said with a smile.
The evening session will notably feature ten-time champion Novak Djokovic, who continues his quest for a 25e Grand Slam singles title, a record. He will face Botic van de Zandschulp.
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
I am a sports journalist who has written for a number of Sportish. I have a background in journalism and have been writing since I was young. My main focus is sports news, but I also write about general news. I am currently working as an author at Sportish.
45-year-old French coach Gilles CervaraThe Russian tennis player, who worked with Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev from 2017 to 2025, published a post reacting to the interview on his Instagram account. Alexandra Oleynikova For L’Equipe:
“Alexandra, I cannot and do not want to remain indifferent to your life or the lives of many people in the same or similar situation (and not only because of the war…).
This could happen to everyone on this planet sooner or later. “My respect and admiration for the courage of your resistance,” Gilles wrote.
In an interview with L’Equipe, Oleynikova described Arina Sabalenko, Diana Schneider and Daniil Medvedev as dangerous players in the Tour for supporting dictators Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukoshenko. This situation caused a certain reaction: Sabalenka, Schneider and Medvedev had to answer relevant questions at press conferences after the matches of the Australian Open 2026.
Gilles Cervara is currently working with Georgian representative Nikoloz Basilashvili.
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
