Jessica Pegula vs. Ekaterina Alexandrova
Pegula is ranked 21 spots higher than Alexandrova—No. 5 to No. 26. But on this day it’s tempting to make the Russian the favorite. At 30, she’s playing some of the best sustained tennis of her career. Two weeks ago, she won a title in Linz. Two days ago, she beat No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a third-set tiebreaker. And almost as impressively, she followed that up 24 hours later with a win over Elise Mertens. Alexandrova has reached that rare and enviable state where you feel like you can’t lose.
How long can she stay in the zone, and keep weariness at bay?
Read More: Ekaterina Alexandrova stuns Aryna Sabalenka in world No. 1’s first match since Australian Open final
Pegula and Alexandrova are the same age, and have been on tour together for more than a decade, but they’ve played just twice. Pegula won their first match, while Alexandrova won in three sets last spring in Miami. Both hit flat, drive the ball deep, attack and absorb pace with their two-handed backhands, and like to return as much, or more, than they like to serve.
It’s a toss-up, but I’ll take the higher-ranked Pegula, who has been to the final in Doha before, and who has been quietly clutch in her two matches so far this week. Winner: Pegula
