Jessica Pegula will win her first slam, but there are many contenders on women's side: Former doubles star Casey Dellacqua

Despite not having won a title in 2023 so far, Jessica Pegula has made a career-best start to the new year and former Grand Slam doubles champion Casey Dellacqua has taken notice of the American's rise.

Dellacqua, during a roundtable conversation for The AO Show, picked Jessica Pegula as the player who had the best shot at capturing a maiden Grand Slam title this year from among the current crop of rising players.

Dubbing Pegula as a player who had all the makings of a Grand Slam winner, the Aussie said the World No. 3 could take the big step if a few things — such as a favorable draw — fell her way.

"Yeah look for me, I think Jessica Pegula's got to be up at the top of the list," Casey Dellacqua said. "I think she's still continued a great run of form post the Australian Open over in Doha, she's made another final. I think she's got it all there."

"Obviously, we know how many matches you've got to win over the length of two weeks at a Slam and for things to fall your way in terms of draw," she continued. "But I do believe that she's putting herself in the best position."

Besides Jessica Pegula, Dellacqua felt Maria Sakkari was the next best bet for a first-time Grand Slam champion. The former doubles World No. 3 also took note of the depth of the women's game currently — while picking Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek as probable names that could dominate in 2023.

"Perhaps Maria Sakkari as well," Casey Dellacqua said. "Again, a lot of things have got to fall their way, but the women's game is a lot more open in terms of, I feel like, the amount of women that can put themselves in the catergory to win a Grand Slam, there's no about that."

"So, look I think Sabalenka could go on and win multiple Slams this year as well. In terms of making sure that keeps herself mentally and emotionally in the position that she was in during the Australian Open because that is incredible," she added. "And then you've got Swiatek, who's already won a title since the Australian Open, and is playing some great tennis."

Dellacqua said that there were numerous contenders for Grand Slam titles on the women's side before circling back to Pegula and her chances of securing her first Grand Slam.

"So there's a lot of contenders on the women's side." Casey Dellacqua said. "But if there's one that I think will win their first, I'll go with Jessica Pegula."

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Jessica Pegula to take on Barbora Krejcíkova in Dubai semifinals

Jessica Pegula at the Qatar Total Energies Open.

Currently playing at the Dubai Tennis Championships, Jessica Pegula is next scheduled to take on a seasoned campaigner in the form of Barbora Krejcikova in the semifinals. The last-four encounter is the second match scheduled for Centre Court at the Aviation Club Tennis Center on Friday.

Taking on the likes of Ana Bogdan and Viktoriya Tomova in her last matches, Pegula has had to battle through every step in the tournament. The American, however, managed to raise her level in key moments to edge her opponents out on both occasions.