American Tennis Stars Pegula and Keys Advance at Italian Open
ROME – Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys, both seeded in the Top 5, secured second-round victories at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Thursday, showcasing American strength on the clay courts.
Pegula Extends Dominance Over Krueger in Straight Sets
No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula continued her undefeated streak against fellow American Ashlyn Krueger, winning their second-round match 6-4, 6-2. Pegula, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, needed 1 hour and 29 minutes to dispatch Krueger at the Foro Italico.This victory marks Pegula’s 28th win of the year, placing her second only to Aryna Sabalenka (32 wins) in tour-level main-draw match wins for 2025.
The first set saw both players battling to hold serve, with multiple break points saved. Pegula’s strong returns eventually gave her the edge, securing a 5-4 lead and the opportunity to serve for the set. After needing five set points, she finally clinched the opener.
A critical eight-deuce game at 2-2 in the second set proved decisive. Pegula converted her fourth break point with a backhand winner, propelling her to win the final five games of the match. Pegula’s 24 winners were double Krueger’s 12.
Pegula’s next opponent is No. 25 seed Elise Mertens of Belgium. While mertens won their first three career meetings, Pegula defeated her earlier this year at the Australian Open.
Keys Overcomes Set Points to Defeat Gracheva
No. 5 seed Madison Keys, the reigning Australian open champion, overcame a shaky start to defeat French player varvara Gracheva 7-6(4), 6-1 in a two-hour match. Keys faced two set points at 5-2 in the first set before mounting a comeback.
After falling behind early in the first set, Keys broke Gracheva at love to regain momentum. The set proceeded to a tiebreak, were a costly volley error by Gracheva gave Keys a 5-4 lead. Keys then capitalized, serving out the set after a grueling 72 minutes.
The second set featured an incredibly long game at 2-1, extending to 11 deuces.Keys finally secured the break with a forehand winner, taking a 3-1 lead and never looking back.
Keys, a Rome runner-up in 2016, will now face another American, Peyton Stearns, in the third round. Stearns previously defeated Keys via retirement in Toronto last year.
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American Tennis Stars Pegula and Keys Advance at Italian Open
ROME – Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys,both seeded in the top 5,secured second-round victories at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Thursday,showcasing American strength on the clay courts.
Pegula Extends Dominance Over Krueger in straight Sets
No.3 seed Jessica Pegula continued her undefeated streak against fellow American Ashlyn Krueger,winning their second-round match 6-4,6-2. pegula,currently ranked No. 4 in the world,needed 1 hour and 29 minutes to dispatch Krueger at the Foro Italico.This victory marks Pegula’s 28th win of the year, placing her second only to Aryna Sabalenka (32 wins) in tour-level main-draw match wins for 2025.
The first set saw both players battling to hold serve, with multiple break points saved. Pegula’s strong returns eventually gave her the edge, securing a 5-4 lead and the possibility to serve for the set.After needing five set points, she finally clinched the opener.
A critical eight-deuce game at 2-2 in the second set proved decisive. Pegula converted her fourth break point with a backhand winner, propelling her to win the final five games of the match. Pegula’s 24 winners were double Krueger’s 12.
Pegula’s next opponent is No. 25 seed Elise Mertens of Belgium. While mertens won their first three career meetings, Pegula defeated her earlier this year at the Australian Open.
Keys Overcomes Set Points to Defeat Gracheva
No. 5 seed Madison Keys, the reigning Australian open champion, overcame a shaky start to defeat French player varvara Gracheva 7-6(4), 6-1 in a two-hour match. Keys faced two set points at 5-2 in the first set before mounting a comeback.
After falling behind early in the first set, Keys broke Gracheva at love to regain momentum. The set proceeded to a tiebreak, were a costly volley error by Gracheva gave Keys a 5-4 lead. Keys then capitalized, serving out the set after a grueling 72 minutes.
The second set featured an incredibly long game at 2-1, extending to 11 deuces.Keys finally secured the break with a forehand winner, taking a 3-1 lead and never looking back.
Keys, a Rome runner-up in 2016, will now face another American, Peyton Stearns, in the third round. Stearns previously defeated Keys via retirement in Toronto last year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Internazionali BNL d’Italia?
A: This is the official name of the Italian Open, a prestigious clay-court tennis tournament held annually in rome, Italy. Its a key event in the lead-up to the French Open.
Q: How are Pegula and Keys performing this year?
A: Both players are seeded in the top 5, demonstrating their strong form. Pegula has a significant number of wins this year, placing her near the top of the tour. Keys is the reigning Australian Open champion.
Q: Who are Pegula’s and Keys’ next opponents?
A: Pegula’s next opponent is Elise mertens of Belgium, while Keys will face fellow American Peyton Stearns in the third round.
Q: What are some key takeaways from Pegula’s match?
A: Pegula demonstrated dominance over Ashlyn Krueger, with a decisive victory in straight sets. Her powerful returns and ability to convert crucial break points were key to her win. Did you know Pegula is ranked No.4 in the world?
Q: What challenges did Keys face in her match?
A: Keys had a challenging first set, facing set points before a comeback. However, she showed resilience and ultimately secured a victory.Her long second set game was a showcase of her mental fortitude.
Q: What is the significance of the Italian Open in the tennis calendar?
A: The Italian Open is a crucial warm-up tournament for the French Open, allowing players to hone their skills on clay courts before the Grand Slam event.
Keep an eye on Pegula and Keys as they continue their journey at the Italian Open.Their performances are a testament to the strength of American tennis!
