Jessica Pegula advances to third round of Miami Open, beats Katherine Sebov in straight-sets

Jessica Pegula (Image credit: Twitter)

Jessica Pegula booked her place in the third round of the Miami Open after defeating Katherine Sebov in straight sets. The 29-year-old beat Canadian qualifier Sebov 6-3, 6-1 and will next face fellow American Danielle Collins. Pegula, a semi-finalist last year in Miami, is one of the favourites to win the tournament this year after No. 1-ranked and defending champion Iga Swiatek pulled out of the tournament due to injury.

Pegula converted five of her nine break point opportunities and found her groove to advance to the next level of the tournament. "I just went out there and took care of business ... fought through some tricky moments in the first set but then I think I started to free up after that," she said in her on-court interview.

Pegula opened the match with a break, but Sebov fought back to level the score at 2-2. The American, who has won two singles titles and six doubles titles on the WTA Tour, took control with another break to take a 3-2 lead and to wrap up the first set in 35 minutes. In the second set, Pegula was more in control as she broke early for a 2-0 lead and dropped just two points on serve the rest of the game.

Coco Gauff also advanced to the third round of the Miami Open

Sixth seed Coco Gauff advanced to the third round of the 2023 Miami Open with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Rebecca Marino on Thursday. The American star will face Russia's Anastasia Potapova. Gauff also converted five of her nine break point opportunities and twice came back from a break down in the second set.

"(I) fought through some tricky moments in the first set but then I think I started to free up after that. It was a shaky performance honestly. I knew it wasn’t going to be a straightforward match, even if I was up a break sometimes.” Pegula said in her on-court interview.

With the victory against Canadian professional Marino, the 19-year-old now holds the record for most wins (34) at WTA 1000 events before turning 20.

"Playing at home is something I look forward to but it's also a little extra pressure because you know everybody wants you to do well here," Gauff added.