In a jaw-dropping display of resilience and precision, World No. 55 Olga Danilovic crushed seventh seed Jessica Pegula 7-6 (3), 6-1, to claim her career’s biggest win and secure a historic spot in the Australian Open round-of-16.
The Serbian tennis prodigy defied all odds in Melbourne, dismantling the 2024 US Open runner-up with an unrelenting performance that sent shockwaves through the tournament. Pegula, widely favored to dominate, was outclassed by Danilovic’s fearless and strategic play.
Danilovic’s dominance: A match to remember
The 23-year-old Serbian was unstoppable from start to finish. Coming off straight-set victories in her opening rounds, Danilovic proved she was no fluke, delivering when it mattered most.
Her serving stats were nothing short of clinical:
- Five aces
- 76% success rate on first-serve points
- 6-of-6 break points saved
While Pegula struggled to find her rhythm, managing only 12 winners against 22 unforced errors, Danilovic kept her composure. She struck 28 winners and limited her unforced errors to 27, showcasing a sharp contrast to her opponent’s erratic play.
How the match unfolded
The match began with both players fiercely holding serve. In the opening set, Danilovic survived two break points in the second game and narrowly missed a chance to break Pegula in the 11th. The set culminated in a nail-biting tiebreak, where Pegula briefly led 3-2. But Danilovic, refusing to back down, surged ahead to win the next five points and steal the set.
The second set was a masterclass in mental toughness. Danilovic fended off four break points in a critical third game before breaking Pegula twice in succession. Up 5-1 and brimming with confidence, she coolly served out the match, leaving her American opponent stunned.
What’s next for the Serbian sensation?
Danilovic’s reward for her sensational victory is a clash against Paula Badosa, who defeated Marta Kostyuk earlier in the day. With momentum firmly on her side, the world No. 55 now has a golden opportunity to continue her Cinderella run in Melbourne.