Jessica Pegula vs McCartney Kessler Prediction & Picks - WTA Australian Open
WTA - WTA Australian Open
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by Bradley Gibbs | in Tennis Picks
Late on Wednesday evening, at least for those watching in the US, there's Australian Open action between two American competitors. Jessica Pegula and McCartney will go up against each other. Having previously reached the quarter finals of this particular Grand Slam on three occasions, Pegula, who is currently the world number six, is hotly fancied by the early market. Is she fancied enough? For my money, the answer is no. She could easily be a stronger favorite.
McCartney Kessler did well to beat Emiliana Arango in straight sets during the first round, but she'll need to step on the gas quite a bit to compete against Pegula, who often makes light work of winning such matches without dropping a set. It's also worth mentioning that Kessler has never been beyond the second round at the Australian Open.
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Jessica Pegula vs McCartney Kessler Form
Jessica Pegula and McCartney Kessler Latest Matches
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
Jan 18, 2026 - WTA Australian Open
Jan 10, 2026 - WTA Brisbane
Jan 9, 2026 - WTA Brisbane
Jan 8, 2026 - WTA Brisbane
Jan 6, 2026 - WTA Brisbane
Nov 7, 2025 - WTA Doha
3/6 (50%)
3/6 (50%)
Jan 18, 2026 - WTA Australian Open
Jan 12, 2026 - Hobart International
Jan 5, 2026 - WTA Brisbane
Jan 3, 2026 - WTA Brisbane
Oct 21, 2025 - Japan Women's Open
Oct 19, 2025 - Japan Women's Open
Jessica Pegula against McCartney Kessler : Head to Head (H2H)
100 %
0 %
Mar 2, 2025 - ATX Open
Jessica Pegula - McCartney Kessler Key Points
- Jessica Pegula won her first-round match in straight sets.
- When McCartney Kessler recently played a top player in Brisbane (Maddison Keys), she lost in straight sets.
- When the pair met on a hard court in 2025, Jessica Pegula won in straight sets.
- McCartney Kessler has lost each of her there recent hard-court matches against top-20 players without winning a set.
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Our Jessica Pegula vs McCartney Kessler Prediction
Three times a quarter-finalist at the Australian Open, Jessica Pegula has been handed a nice little second-round opportunity here. Against her lower-ranked compatriot, the world number six really should be winning this match without a fuss, so much so that she's a decent bet to emerge victorious in straight sets, or rather she is all the time odds of -130 are on offer.
We saw Pegula play some strong tennis during the first round, beating Zakharova in straight sets, while she made light work of beating Kessler in straight sets when the pair met on a hard surface back in 2025.
Our Jessica Pegula vs McCartney Kessler Pick: Jessica Pegula to Win 2-0.
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
