Australian Open Prediction: Jessica Pegula vs Olga Danilovic
January 17, 2025 at 06:00 AM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Jessica Pegula -500 / Olga Danilovic +375
Jessica Pegula and Olga Danilovic meet in the third round of the 2025 Australian Open on Friday, January 17, 2025. Here’s our Jessica Pegula vs Olga Danilovic prediction. This preview also includes a Jessica Pegula vs Olga Danilovic pick.
Jessica Pegula Preview
Jessica Pegula beat Elise Mertens for the first time in her career to make the Australian Open third round.
Pegula had lost in the second round 12 months ago as a heavy favorite. And there was an element of doubt going into the match against Mertens who had beaten her in their three prior meetings.
But Pegula was in full control of proceedings and bullied the Belgian in baseline exchanges with aplomb. The match took 18 games to decide and lasted an hour and 12 minutes. Pegula prevailed 6-4, 6-2.
In the victory, Pegula recorded 24 winners and 10 unforced errors. She hit only one ace. Pegula landed 74% of first serves and won 67% of first-serve points (26/39).
The American won 79% of second-serve points (11/14) and saved two of three break points. Pegula held in eight of nine service games in the match.
She won 48% of return points (23/48) and converted four of eight break points.
It is now five wins from six matches for Pegula in 2025.
Olga Danilovic Preview
Pegula will find an unexpected name in the third round. That will be Olga Danilovic, ranked 55th in the WTA rankings.
Danilovic upset World No. 21 Liudmila Samsonova in the second round in straight sets. This is the furthest she has been at the Australian Open.
The match took 15 games to decide and lasted 66 minutes. In the shock victory, Danilovic recorded 10 winners and 12 unforced errors. She hit three aces in the entire match.
The Serbian landed 68% of first serves and won 65% of first-serve points (17/26). Danilovic won 67% of second-serve points (8/12) and only faced one break point in the match.
She held in six of seven service games in the match. Danilovic won 60% of return points (33/55) and 100% of net points (2/2). She converted six of 13 break points.
This was her second win of the season after losing her opening match in Hobart.
Jessica Pegula vs Olga Danilovic Head-To-Head
• Pegula and Danilovic have never played at the WTA level but met in an ITF match in 2018. The American won in straight sets.
Jessica Pegula vs Olga Danilovic Preview
Danilovic took care of business against a fatigued Samsonova in the second round. But she’s up against one of the fittest players on tour in Pegula. The Serbian’s best chance here is to take time and space away from Pegula, because that extra split second is what makes the American ruthless from the baseline.
Pegula returns exceptionally well, so I don’t see her facing any potential challenges with the sharp lefty serves that Danilovic will utilize to open the court. And adding to that polished efficiency is Pegula’s vast experience of handling such caliber of opponents.