By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Friday, January 17, 2025
Picture credit score: Cameron Spencer/Getty
This Australian Open is all about comings and goings.
World No. 55 Olga Danilovic delivered endurance and confirmed US Open finalist Jessica Pegula the door in a assured efficiency on Rod Laver Enviornment.
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The left-handed Danilovic run off 9 of the final 11 video games toppling the seventh-seeded Pegula 7-6(3), 6-1 to achieve the Australian Open fourth spherical for the primary time.
“I’m tremendous proud of the way in which I performed, actually,” Danilovic stated. “I imply she’s on the highest of the world. She’s such an excellent participant. I knew I needed to have my A plus plus recreation to beat her.
“Behind my thoughts I actually believed in myself, you realize? I got here onto this court docket to take pleasure in myself. That is my first time on such a giant court docket, in Rod Laver Enviornment, so I imply I do not know what to say. I am so joyful at this second.”
Following Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic onto Rod Laver Enviornment, Danilovic unleashed Serbian celebration that had Djokovic himself applauding her.
A beaming Danilovic waved to screaming Serbian followers and put her hand over her coronary heart finishing her third profession High 10 victory.
It’s Danilovic’s first High 10 triumph since she defeated No. 10 Danielle Collins en path to the Roland Garros spherical of 16 final summer time. Pegula stated the left-hander’s exact serving and elevated aggression because the match progressed have been keys to her win.
“I imply, from 3-All within the tiebreaker, she performed some fairly good tennis,” Pegula informed the media in Melbourne. “Simply sort of began going for her photographs I really feel like much more.
“Her serve proportion did not actually drop. Her stage, it simply obtained higher. Possibly had possibilities in that first recreation she served — or second recreation she served within the second, however she hit a winner on each breakpoint alternative I had. So, yeah, credit score to her. She performed very well.”
The 23-year-old Danilovic is the primary Serbian girl to achieve the Australian Open spherical of 16 since 2014 when former world No. 1 gamers Jelena Jankovic (fourth spherical) and Ana Ivanovic (quarterfinals) every did it.
Down 4-5 within the first set, Danilovic amped up her aggression. Deadlocked at 3-all within the tiebreaker, a decided Danilovic ran off 4 factors in a row seizing a one-set lead.
Danilovic dodged 4 break factors in an arduous third recreation holding for a 2-1 second-set lead.
A Pegula drive hit the web and sat up. Hustling ahead, Danilovic dabbed a reply and the American’s lob floated lengthy. Danilovic broke for a one-set, 3-1 lead.
The left-hander, who had been persistently sliding her serve extensive on the advert facet, blended it up and pumped a serve down the T holding at love for 4-1.
Grand Slam king and Serbian compatriot Novak Djokovic was watching this match unfold from inside Rod Laver Enviornment and appreciated what he noticed as Danilovic broke once more for 5-1.
When the jumbo screens inside Rod Laver Enviornment confirmed Djokovic watching this match, Serbian followers started chanting “Nole! Nole!” in delight seeing his assist.
The 5’11” Danilovic is the daughter of former Serbian basketball star Predrag Danilovic and confirmed aggressive composure at closing time.
Danilovic earned double match level at 40-15 serving for the fourth spherical. Pegula dug all the way down to deny each match factors and draw even at deuce.
Shrugging it off, Danilovic drilled an ace down the T for a 3rd match level.
Whipping one ultimate extensive serve, Danilovic closed one of many greatest onerous court docket wins of her profession then walked to the middle of the group and waved to the roaring crowd placing her hand over her coronary heart in a present of appreciation for the assist.
“I am so proud,” Danilovic stated. “Twelve months in the past I used to be right here and I misplaced within the second spherical of qualies. These moments are so powerful. However I’ve an excellent crew behind me. I’ve household that is all the time been supporting me. I believed in myself, I labored actually onerous and yeah, I am right here within the second week.”
Subsequent up for Danilovic is hard-hitting Spaniard Paula Badosa.
Danilovic has received two of three conferences vs. Badosa. The winner of that match will advance to the quarterfinals in opposition to both WTA Finals champion Coco Gauff or former Olympic gold-medal champion Belinda Bencic.
