Jessica Pegula: Victoria Azarenka was pressuring me constantly the whole time



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Jessica Pegula: Victoria Azarenka was pressuring me constantly the whole time

Jessica Pegula said Victoria Azarenka took away her biggest weapon and admitted that it was hard for her to put any pressure on the Belarusian. Pegula, seeded at No 3, suffered a 6-4 6-1 loss to world No 24 Azarenka in the Australian Open quarterfinal.

"Hitting the ball deep, taking it early, changing the direction on the ball, doing things that I usually like to do to people. She was doing it well. Made it tough for me to feel I could really pressure her. Felt like she was pressuring me constantly the whole time," Pegula said, per WTA Insider.

Pegula, who was the highest-seed left before losing to Azarenka, said it's a good thing she is playing a doubles match with Cori Gauff on Wednesday.

"It helps that I'm playing doubles tomorrow because I don't have so much time to sulk around and be in my feelings. I'm going to be pretty pissed about my match. But tomorrow is another chance to get another win, get a better feeling, and be in a competitive mindset," Pegula added.

Azarenka respects Pegula

Azarenka, 33, now has a 3-2 head-to-head record against Pegula.

"It hurts to beat her, I always want her to do well. At the same time, I knew I had to play my best, she's been amazing, so consistent. I knew from the very first point I had to bring it, to take my opportunities. I'm very proud I executed my game plan very well.

It's so amazing to be in the semifinal of another Grand Slam," Azarenka said after beating Pegula. Meanwhile, Pegula's winning streak came to an end at nine. After losing to Petra Kvitova in her first match of the season at the United Cup, Pegula won her next four United Cup matches. Then, Pegula won four more matches at the Australian Open before losing to Azarenka.