LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 02: Jessica Pegula of The United States plays a backhand against Petra Martic of Croatia during their Women's Singles Third Round match on day six of The Championships Wimbledon 2022 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 02, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
3rd seed Jessica Pegula squares off against Karolina Muchova in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships on Thursday.
The American veteran played in the Qatar Open before coming to Dubai. She went on to reach the finals where she lost to Iga Swiatek in straight sets.
After receiving a bye into the second round, Pegula beat Viktoriya Tomoca in three sets 6-2, 5-7, 6-1. Pegula converted 8 out of 11 break points. In the round of 16, Pegula eased past Ana Bogdan in straight sets 6-4, 6-3. Pegula became the first American player ever to reach the quarterfinals in five consecutive WTA-1000 hard courts events since 2009.
The 26-year-old competed in the Qatar Open where she lost to 3rd seed Caroline Garcia in the second round in three sets after winning the opening set.
Muchova began with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-4 win against Bernarda Pera in the round of 64. She was exceptional with her first serves, having a win percentage of 93 with it. Muchova smashed 10 aces in her 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) win against Sorana Cirstea in the second round. In the round of 16, Muchova got the better of Belinda Bencic in straight sets 6-1, 6-4. The Czech star converted 4 out of 6 break points in the match. She has been serving well throughout the tournament and will hope to use her serves as a lethal weapon to rattle Pegula.
The two players have never crossed paths as yet. Therefore, the head-to-head scoreline currently stands at 0-0.
Prediction: Jessica Pegula to win in straight sets.
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