Pegula Triumphs in Austin Final
World number four Jessica Pegula secured her first WTA title of 2025 with a dominant 7-5, 6-2 win over McCartney Kessler in an all-American final at the ATX Open in Austin, Texas. As the top seed, Pegula claimed her seventh career WTA title and her first since winning the WTA 1000 event in Toronto last year.
Breaking a Losing Streak
The victory was particularly significant for Pegula, who had lost her previous three finals. Her confidence-boosting triumph sets the stage for upcoming hard-court tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami.
Kessler’s Strong Run Ends
McCartney Kessler, a rising star, had previously won WTA titles in Cleveland and Hobart. She entered the Austin tournament in excellent form, having secured her first career top-10 victory with an upset over Coco Gauff in Dubai. However, she couldn’t overcome Pegula’s consistency and experience in the final.
Match Recap: Pegula’s Composure Prevails
Kessler showed early promise, recovering from a 0-2 deficit to lead 4-2 in the first set. However, unforced errors proved costly as Pegula took control, breaking Kessler in the 12th game to claim the first set. In the second set, Pegula maintained her momentum, securing a comfortable 6-2 win.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Pegula reaffirms her status as one of the top players on the WTA Tour. Kessler, despite the loss, continues to show promise as a future contender. Both players now turn their focus to the upcoming tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami, where Pegula will aim to build on her success.
