MELBOURNE, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A clinical Jessica Pegula dumped defending champion and good friend Madison Keys out of the Australian Open on Monday to surge into the quarter-finals. Pegula, who is chasing an elusive Grand Slam title after reaching the US Open final in 2024, made three consecutive Melbourne quarters between 2021-2023. But it was well-deserved with Keys, who stunned heavy favourite Aryna Sabalenka in last year's final for her maiden Slam title, tense and out-of-sorts. She consolidated by holding to take a firm grip on the set with Keys winning just three points in three games. Despite mustering some late fight there was no way back for the deflated defending champion as Pegula emphatically sent her packing.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 26, 2026 09:09 UTC