1st entry test for Jessica

A great duel to look forward to..

Interesting duel between two players very comfortable on fast hard courts. Historically, Pegula leads 3–1, with all four meetings decided in three sets. This is the American’s first match of the season, so there isn’t much recent form to go on, but she remains extremely reliable: no losses in the past six months to players ranked outside the top 30, and she’s known for starting her seasons very well. Her tennis allows her to compete with any playing style, on all surfaces. In 2025, she’s among the few players to have surpassed 50 wins, alongside Rybakina, Swiatek and Sabalenka.

On her side, the Russian Kalinskaya had to work hard against rising Czech star Valentova. She quickly piled on the pressure, with eight breaks in the match, and her experience on fast courts eventually made the difference, 6/4 6/4. Kalinskaya remains an opponent not to be underestimated, with an excellent tennis IQ and a complete, adaptable game. In this context, she can clearly lay claim to taking a set.