'Jessica Pegula is the one to beat' – John McEnroe’s take on who will be women’s Australian Open champion

ByNigel Chiu

Published 22/01/2023 at 20:32 GMT

Jessica Pegula is the player to beat in the women’s draw of the 2023 Australian Open according to Eurosport expert John McEnroe, following Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff’s exits from the tournament on Sunday. Pegula, who is the highest seed left and world No. 3, has never gone beyond the quarter-final stage of a Grand Slam but her current form makes her the favourite.

Eurosport expert John McEnroe believes Jessica Pegula is the player to beat in the women’s draw following Iga Swiatek’s exit in the fourth round of the Australian Open.

Pegula had an impressive 7-5 6-2 win over Barbora Krejcikova on Sunday and is the highest seed left in the draw.

On the same day, Coco Gauff was beaten by Jelena Ostapenko while Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina knocked out Swiatek.

Billie Jean King Cup

Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers: Which top stars are playing?

11/04/2024 at 11:13

“I think she [Pegula] is mentally rock solid, she's got herself in a place where it's intimidating how strong mentally she is," said McEnroe.

“Her game, it doesn't feel like it's going to break down where some of the other players [do]."

He added: “The people that can stop her... Rybakina for example, has got the firepower. She's hard to beat, she showed that when she beat Iga. So that would be a formidable challenge [for Pegula].

'Weird being a favourite' - Pegula reacts to being highest seeded player left in Aus Open

Pegula plays Victoria Azarenka in the last eight on Tuesday, with Rybakina taking on Ostapenko.

The other quarter-finalists will be decided on Monday, with Caroline Garcia and Olympic champion Belinda Bencic among those in action.

• Wilander says Gauff ‘needs a weapon’, Henman ‘sure she wins Grand Slams’
• ‘I’m going to give her hell!’ – Azarenka pumped up for Pegula clash

Bencic plays Aryna Sabalenka, who is a player McEnroe pointed out he does not trust as much compared to Pegula in the thick end of Grand Slams.

“Sabalenka, could she go all the way?” McEnroe continued. “You would worry a bit about her when we've seen the last couple of years with her serve.

“Azarenka, she's won this, she's a two-time Australian Open champion, so that would be just incredibly important for her, an unbelievable way to end a career into her 30s, after everything that's gone on with her over the course of the last four or five years.

“So there's people out there that could do it. But I think Jessica, if you look at the overall picture right now, is the one to beat.”

- - -

Stream the 2023 Australian Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk.

WTA Miami

Collins downs Garcia to set up Alexandrova semi-final

28/03/2024 at 09:22

WTA Miami

Osaka beats Svitolina for best win since WTA return, Swiatek cruises into round three

24/03/2024 at 08:24

ATP Miami

Miami Open 2024: When does it start? When is the draw? Who's playing?

11/03/2024 at 12:58