Jessica Pegula feeling on top of her game in Australian Open tilt
Jessica Pegula exudes confidence as she sets out to win her first career Grand Slam in Melbourne.
Pegula enjoyed fantastic form at the United Cup and has been lifted by the USA’s title win.
The World No 3 feels like she is in the groove at the moment.
“I feel like I’m making every single return,” Pegula said.
“I feel like second serves, I’m being super-aggressive but also giving myself good margins. I don’t feel like I’m going for anything that seems stupid. Even if it maybe isn’t the highest percentage shot on paper when you’re looking at it, to me, I know I’m going to make it.
“Sometimes, though, it’s hard when I’m playing like that. It’s hard because I also want to overhit. ‘Oh, my god, it’s slow motion, I have to settle down.’ So it’s nice, but then honestly sometimes I don’t like when I’m seeing it that well, because I feel like something is about to go off.
“But, yeah, I mean, I shouldn’t really complain about that, but it’s true.”
Pegula is not immune to nerves but says that she has been settled by enjoying a practice hit with United Cup USA teammate Frances Tiafoe.
“My nerves usually come out in practice where I’m not hitting well and I’m freaking out, and Frances is just so happy-go-lucky. The biggest hype person ever,” Pegula said.
“I think it’s good I hit with him yesterday because it kind of relaxed me a little bit. I’m a little bit more focused, which he needs, so I think it helps him in that way. And I think he likes hitting with me, he says, for the rhythm.
“He says he feels like the best player in the world when he hits with me. We give each other a little confidence, I guess.”
Pegula noted a big difference in the way male players warm-up against how the top WTA players go about their practice.
“Most of the guys I know, when they go to warm up or they hit, especially before a tournament, they’re pretty relaxed,” Pegula said. “They’re just out there trying to get a little bit groove, not chasing down balls. They’re not freaking out, they’re not really working on anything.
“I think girls are a little bit different in that aspect except for I remember maybe warming up with Ash. I felt she warmed up like a guy. She takes like five serves, hits a couple of slices, and she’s done.
“I have tried to do that more. I think hitting with Frances forces me to do that, because I’m like I don’t want to look like I’m some crazy overanalytical player. I always say to my coach, if I’m not ready by now, I’m never going to be ready. I play in an hour. I’ve got to get over it. I think it helps.”
Pegula blew past Jaqueline Cristian in the first round of the Australian Open with a cilinical 6-0, 6-1 victory that sets her up for a second round match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
