By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday January 11, 2024
Madison Keys locked down the Adelaide title, while McCartney Kessler took home honors in Hobart on Saturday.
Photo Source: TTV
Madison Keys pushed past Jessica Pegula and a left thigh injury to claim her ninth career title in Adelaide on Saturday night, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.
The 30-year-old claimed her second Top-10 win of the week, and 30th overall as she defeated Pegula for the second time in three career meetings.
Keys launched 16 forehand winners against just 2 for Pegula as she pulled away in the deciding set.
“When you play Jess you don't really want to give her a lot of balls to get a lot of rhythm, because then all of a sudden you're running and she's just zinging things by you,” she said. I think it's one of those matches where you have to try to take the initiative as soon as you get it because the longer the point goes, and the more corner to corner that you start getting, that's when Jess becomes her best.”
Keys, who married longtime fiance and current coach Bjorn Fratangelo in November, will face American Ann Li in the first round at the Australian Open. Pegula will face Aussie Maya Joint.
Kessler Takes Hobart Title
McCartney Kessler charged past Elise Mertens 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 to claim her second career title at the Hobart International. The 25-year-old, a former Florida Gator, hit 44 winners overall. Kessler will face China’s Zhang Shuai in the first round at the Australian Open. Mertens will face Viktorija Golubic.
Kessler is projected to rise to a new career-high ranking of No.46 in Monday's rankings - she was ranked 206 at the Australian Open last year.