AUSTRALIAN OPEN

The Three American Women: Collins, Pegula, and Keys

[27] Danielle Collins is no stranger to going deep at the Australian Open. In 2019 she made it all the way to the semifinals. Of course, everyone expected her to back up that performance. She got to a career high of twenty-three in 2019 and then injury interrupted her rhythm and plans. Thus, it is nice to see her performing consistently well again.

She battled through frustration and a pesky opponent, [19] Elise Mertens to get back to the quarterfinals. With the 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory she gets to play the indomitable Frenchwomen. Alizé Cornet is playing some of her best tennis of late; therefore, expect this to be a fierce contest of skillful execution and guts. It will be their first meeting, with much at stake for Cornet.

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[21] Jessica Pegula got to a career high of eighteen late last year and looks like she is riding that wave of confidence into the  quarterfinals. Pegula upended [5] Maria Sakkari 7-6(0), 6-3. Yet, she has been here before. Last year, Pegula made it to the Australian Open quarterfinals before losing to fellow American Jennifer Brady. Can she take it one step further this year? She has the unenviable task of facing the crowd favorite and number one player, Ashleigh Barty next. Three years ago, Barty won their only encounter in straight sets.

Madison Keys is unseeded, which is ironic. Ironic because she has been to a major final and was ranked as high as number seven in 2016. What happened to Keys? Too much pressure got to Keys. When you have the expectations of the world plus your own weighing you down, it’s difficult to play with freedom and joy. If you are not enjoying the game, it’s difficult to consistently give your best. It showed in her results. However, she also had a stretch of injuries that required surgeries and long layoffs. She is playing consistently quality tennis now because of her healthier perspective. Nevertheless, she will have her hands full against [4] Barbora Krejcikova. In this first encounter expect it to be a battle between power and guile.

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The American Men Left In The Draw

Maxime Cressy lost to the number two seed in four sets. He had chances, but when you have not been there before, although you believe, it’s hard to execute. Still, a great run for the American. [20] Taylor Fritz could not ride his two sets to one lead to victory. Tough five set loss for the American. There are no American men left in the singles draw.

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