{"id":434133,"date":"2026-01-26T10:39:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T10:39:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/434133\/"},"modified":"2026-01-26T10:39:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T10:39:09","slug":"spotless-pegula-ends-keys-australian-open-reign-with-serve-of-apple-pie-and-cheese-australian-open-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/434133\/","title":{"rendered":"Spotless Pegula ends Keys\u2019 Australian Open reign with serve of apple pie and cheese | Australian Open 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

While speaking on a podcast<\/a> before her big match against Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula was discussing their battle last January in the Adelaide final. Keys\u2019s performance, Pegula recalled, had prompted Pegula to accurately predict to their mutual friends that Keys would win the Australian Open two weeks later. It is normal for players to discuss future opponents, but they do not usually do so in conversation with each other. With a chuckle, Keys interjected: \u201cJess is like, \u2018I hope I don\u2019t see that level [tomorrow].\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

She did not. Keys\u2019s reign at the Australian Open<\/a> came to a difficult end in the fourth round as the defending champion and ninth seed was crushed under the weight of her hefty unforced error count and a spotless performance from Pegula, the sixth seed, who marched into the quarter-finals with a 6-3, 6-4 win. This was, in some ways, a historic match on Rod Laver Arena: the first grand slam singles match between two podcast co-hosts.<\/p>\n

Keys and Pegula, who are one year apart at 30 and 31 years old respectively, are close friends who have known each other for nearly two decades. Although this was only their fourth WTA meeting, with the head-to-head now 2-2, they have trained together hundreds of times. Last August, they converted their friendship and success into a tennis podcast, The Player\u2019s Box<\/a>, which they co-host alongside the 2021 Australian Open finalist Jennifer Brady and Desirae Krawczyk, a four-time mixed doubles slam champion.<\/p>\n

Women\u2019s tennis is known for the fierce competitiveness among its players, which can lead to unfriendly relations between some of its top players. This is actually part of the sport\u2019s attraction for many fans, the understanding that players will fight desperately in matches without fear of offending their adversaries.<\/p>\n

This match up, however, is reflective of the friendlier side of the sport. It is impressive how some players compartmentalise their friendships, fighting fiercely during their matches but not allowing the outcome to affect their personal relationships: \u201cAs tennis players, it\u2019s not that deep,\u201d Pegula said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been doing it for so long. We could literally be friends and laughing till the moment we walk on the court. Then in that moment we both want to win and we both are competitors. We\u2019re going to do whatever we can to get the W. The moment it\u2019s over, you\u2019re back to being friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

Madison Keys had a tough day on the court facing her friend and compatriot Jessica Pegula. Photograph: Daniel Kopatsch\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

The build up to this match has been particularly amusing. After their third round victories, Keys and Pegula came up with forfeits for whoever lost the match. Pegula, whose billionaire family owns the Buffalo Bills NFL team, would have had to wear a Kansas City Chiefs jersey with the names of Travis Kelce and his fiancee, Taylor Swift, on the back if she had lost.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately for Keys, once she digests the end of her title defence, she will also have to eat apple pie with melted cheddar cheese on top, a dessert enjoyed by the Pegula family. In her prior press conference, Keys stressed just how repulsive she found the dish: \u201cShe tried to make it sound like it was the most normal thing ever, and we were all just disgusted. She tried to double down and said, \u2018No, it\u2019s amazing,\u2019\u201d Keys said.<\/p>\n

The latest Player\u2019s Box was scheduled to be filmed on Sunday afternoon, long before either player realised they might be playing each other. The two players discussed the origin of their friendship and the different paths they took in their formative years, but they also gave their thoughts on the match ahead. It included some light trash talk. At one point, Keys described watching videos of Pegula to scout her opponent\u2019s game: \u201cYou missed a hack slice forehand and you were so annoyed. I was like: \u2018haha\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

The moment they stepped on the court, all jokes came to an end. This was a significant moment for both competitors. It was clear from the beginning that Keys was completely off, unable to play freely through her tension. Although Keys can blow anyone off the court with the force of her serve and ground strokes, she also regularly beats herself. This match showcased the worst of Keys, who took wild cuts at the ball and sprayed unforced errors from all parts of the courts.<\/p>\n

With the match over Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys quickly went from rivals back to friends. Photograph: Rob Prezioso\/AAP<\/p>\n

While her opponent floundered, Pegula was tidy and polished as ever. She returned Keys\u2019 devastating serve with depth and consistency, she took the ball early and forced Keys into difficult positions by deflecting her pace and moving the ball well. Most of all, she offered Keys so few mistakes, striking 13 unforced errors to Keys\u2019s count of 28. In the first set, she hit just four.<\/p>\n

Pegula has still not dropped a set so far in Melbourne and she is playing great tennis. Now a nine-time grand slam quarter-finalist, she continues to put herself in contention for the big titles with regular deep runs. In this incredibly competitive period at the top of women\u2019s tennis, however, the greatest challenge of Pegula\u2019s career is converting her consistency into a grand slam triumph.<\/p>\n

The contest ended with a 14th miserable forehand unforced error from Keys, which elicited a rare bark of \u201cc\u2019mon\u2019\u201d from a typically placid Pegula. By the time they walked up to the net, though, the two players had already ceased viewing each other as adversaries. They greeted each other with smiles and embraced in a warm hug before departing the court as friends again.<\/p>\n