By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Friday, January 17, 2025
Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty
This Australian Open is all about comings and goings.
Number 55 in the world Olga Danilovic provided staying power and showed the US Open finalist Jessica Pegula the door to a surefire performance at Rod Laver Arena.
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The left-handed Danilovic ran off nine of the last 11 games to topple seventh-seeded Pegula 7-6(3), 6-1 to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time.
“I’m very happy with the way I played, honestly,” said Danilovic. “I mean she’s on top of the world. She’s a great player. I knew I had to be on my A plus plus game to beat her.
“In the back of my mind I really believed in myself, you know? I came to this field to enjoy myself. This is my first time on such a big field, Rod Laver Arena, so I mean I don’t I know what to say, I’m very happy at this moment.”
After the Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic at Rod Laver Arena, Danilovic unleashed a Serbian celebration that drew Djokovic himself a standing ovation.
An elated Danilovic greeted the screaming Serbian fans and put her hand over her heart as she completed her third career Top 10 win. It’s Danilovic’s first Top 10 triumph since she beat No. 10 Danielle Collins en route to the round of 16 at Roland Garros last summer.
The 23-year-old Danilovic is the first Serbian woman to reach the round of 16 at the Australian Open since 2014, when former world no. Jelena Jankovic (fourth round) and Ana Ivanovic (quarterfinals) each did it.
At 4-5 in the first set, Danilovic increased her aggression. Stuck at 3 in the tie, a determined Danilovic ran off four straight points to take a one-set lead.
Danilovic avoided four break points in a grueling third game to hold a 2-1 lead in the second set.
A Pegula drive hit the net and landed. Rushing forward, Danilovic provided an answer and the American’s lob flew long. Danilovic broke for a set, 3-1 lead.
The left-hander, who had repeatedly slipped her serve wide to the ad side, mixed it up and dropped a serve down the tee holding dearly for 4-1.
Grand Slam king and Serbian compatriot Novak Djokovic was watching this match unfold from inside Rod Laver Arena and he liked what he saw as Danilovic broke again for 5-1.
When the jumbo screens inside Rod Laver Arena showed Djokovic watching this match, Serbian fans started chanting “Nole! Come on!” glad to see his support.
Danilovic won doubles points with a score of 40-15 serving for the fourth round. Pegula dug down to deny both match points and even the match.
Shrugging it off, Danilovic drilled an ace down the tee for the third match point.
Hitting a last serve wide, Danilovic capped one of the biggest hard-court wins of her career, then walked to the center of the crowd and waved to the roaring crowd, putting her hand over her heart in a show appreciation for support.
“I’m very proud,” Danilovic said. Twelve months ago I was here and lost in the second round of qualifying. Those moments are very difficult. But I have a great team behind me. I have a family that has always supported me. I believed in myself, I worked very hard. and yes, I’m here on week two.”
Next up for Danilovic is the severely beaten Spaniard Paula Badosa.
Danilovic has won two of the three meetings against Badosa. The winner of that match will advance to the quarterfinals against each WTA Finals champion Coco Gauff or former Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic.
