(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.

Keys, seeded ninth, beat Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 6-3, while Pegula, seeded sixth, defeated Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-3, 6-2.

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.

“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 25^e Grand Slam singles title, a record. He will face Botic van de Zandschulp.