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Jessica Pegula vs McCartney Kessler Betting Tips & Live Stream – Pegula Holds the Upper Hand at Australian Open

moti-prakash
Moti Prakash
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Last updated: Wed 21 Jan 2026 14:55
In a highly anticipated matchup at the Australian Open, Jessica Pegula's impressive consistency appears to outweigh McCartney Kessler's rising potential. Pegula boasts a solid 16-4 record in Slam second rounds and a commendable hard court reputation, making her a formidable opponent for Kessler. Despite Kessler's advances, including a top-40 ranking, her difficulty against top-10 players persists. Pegula has consistently performed well in Australia and similar hard court environments, giving her a distinct advantage in this matchup.
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Moti Prakash 21 Jan 2026
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  • Pegula has a strong record in Slams and Australian Open
  • Kessler, despite her progress, struggles against top-tier players
  • Pegula's hard court prowess gives her the edge in their matchup
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Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula in action against Anastasia Zakharova in Melbourne (credit: Getty)
Kessler’s rise has been impressive, but Pegula’s consistency and form should be too much for her here.

Stats - Pegula’s Slam Depth vs Kessler’s Ceiling

  • Jessica Pegula is 16–4 in Slam second rounds and 4–1 in Melbourne.
  • She is a three-time Australian Open quarterfinalist. 
  • McCartney Kessler has never passed round two at a major. 
  • Kessler is 2–7 vs top-10 players.

HTH - Jessica Pegula leads 1-0

Year Event Surface Round Winner Score
2025 Austin Hard F Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2

Jessica Pegula Cruises Through

Jessica Pegula made light work of her opener, dismissing world No. 105 Anastasia Zakharova 6-2, 6-1 with minimal fuss. 

She has a strong track record in Australia, regularly producing deep runs and recently reaching the Brisbane semifinals. 

Pegula remains a top-10 mainstay on hard courts, having reached seven semifinals on the surface last year, including notable runs at the US Open, Beijing, and Wuhan.

Category Details
Nationality USA
Age 31 (24 February 1994)
Plays Right-handed
World Ranking 6
Career High 3 (24 October 2022)
Elo Ranking 6 (Rating: 2036)

McCartney Kessler Advances Safely

McCartney Kessler had to dig deep early, saving seven of eight break points to get past Emiliana Arango 6-3, 6-2.

The win came as a relief after a slow start to the season, with early exits in Brisbane and Hobart. 

Despite areas to sharpen, Kessler’s top-40 ranking is justified. She won the Hobart title last year, reached finals in Austin and Nottingham in 2025, and logged solid runs at events like Dubai, Miami, Montreal, and Beijing.

Category Details
Nationality USA
Age 26 (8 July 1999)
Plays Right-handed
World Ranking 37
Career High 30 (30 June 2025)
Elo Ranking 33 (Rating: 1848)

Verdict

Kessler has made strides at tour level, yet matching top players remains a challenge. Against Pegula’s steadiness, she may compete briefly but is unlikely to sustain it.

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Jessica Pegula v McCartney Kessler

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