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Match Details
Fixture: (1) Jessica Pegula vs (LL) Maria Sakkari
Date: January 8, 2025
Tournament: Adelaide International 2025
Round: Second round (Round of 16)
Venue: Memorial Drive Tennis Centre, Adelaide, Australia
Category: WTA 500
Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt
Prize Money: $1,064,510
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports
Jessica Pegula vs Maria Sakkari preview
Top seed Jessica Pegula will square off against Maria Sakkari in the second round of the 2025 Adelaide International on Wednesday, January 8.
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Pegula was expected to feature at the Brisbane International, but later withdrew from the tournament citing a knee injury. She will eventually commence her new season in Adelaide. She had a decent run in 2024, winning two titles and finishing off as runner up at the US Open.
Pegula last played at the WTA Finals, where she withdrew midway through the group stage due to the knee injury. At the 2024 Adelaide International, the American made a semifinal exit. This year, she has reached the second round courtesy of a first-round bye.
Sakkari reached the final of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells but that was one of her few notable performances in 2024. A slurry of disappointing results saw the Greek drop to 32nd in the WTA rankings.
Sakkari made it to the main draw of the WTA 500 event as a lucky loser after she lost to Peyton Stearns in the final qualifying round. In the first round, Sakkari faced Czech Republic's Linda Noskova. The former World No. 3 was clinical and powerful with her serves, winning 80% of her first serve points. The Greek also broke on three occassions as she powered to a 6-3, 6-3 win.
Jessica Pegula vs Maria Sakkari head-to-head
This will be their 11th meeting on the tour. The spoils are shared with each winning five matches. Pegula won their last encounter, 6-3, 6-2, in the 2023 WTA Finals group stage.
Jessica Pegula vs Maria Sakkari odds
(Odds will be updated once available)
Jessica Pegula vs Maria Sakkari prediction
Pegula will be hopeful of making a deep run in Adelaide and earn some much needed game time ahead of the Australian Open. The American has not played a competitive match since early November. Her match fitness will be a point of concern.
Sakkari was far from her best in 2024. The Greek international has struggled with consistency in recent times. However, she could cause serious damage to her opponents if she directs her serves and groundstrokes well.
While their head-to-head record remains even, Pegula holds a slight advantage across hard courts. The American won five of their previous nine meetings on hard courts. If Pegula remains fit, she will come out on top and make it to the quarterfinals.
Pick: Pegula to win in straight sets.
