Jessica Pegula secured her first WTA title of 2025 at the ATX Open, defeating fellow American McCartney Kessler 7-5, 6-2 in the final. The victory made Pegula the first top seed to win the tournament, a strong statement as she continues her season.
Playing in challenging wind conditions, Pegula had to adjust her game after a slow start. Once she settled in, she took control of the match, breaking Kessler’s serve six times to clinch the win in straight sets.
weeeeeeeeTough Start, Strong Finish
The first set was a battle. Pegula took an early 2-0 lead, but Kessler responded by winning four of the next five games, moving ahead 4-2. Just when it seemed momentum had shifted, errors crept into Kessler’s game, allowing Pegula to level the score.
A crucial moment came at 5-5, when Kessler missed two potential winners, failing to break Pegula’s serve. Pegula then capitalized, holding serve for 6-5 and putting the pressure back on Kessler. A double fault on set point handed Pegula the first set, and with it, the confidence to take over the match.
Pegula Takes Control in the Second Set
Kessler briefly broke Pegula’s serve to start the second set, but that was her last real opportunity. Pegula responded immediately, winning four consecutive games to take full control.
Her ability to stay consistent in the windy conditions proved decisive. While Kessler’s aggressive shots often sailed long, Pegula found her rhythm, dictating rallies and forcing her opponent into difficult positions.
A final service break sealed the victory, completing a dominant second set and securing the ATX Open trophy.
Why This Title Matters
Pegula came into the tournament without a title in 2025 and eager to build momentum. Winning on home soil in the U.S. made this victory even more meaningful.
She defeated a strong field, including Kessler, who had already won a WTA 250 title in Australia this season. Pegula also overcame Ajla Tomljanović and Anna Blinkova, two players with the ability to cause upsets.
Her experience and composure were key, especially against a younger, hard-hitting opponent like Kessler. The ability to adapt her game and capitalize on key moments is what separates top players, and Pegula showed exactly that in this final.
A Step in the Right Direction
Winning the ATX Open may not be the biggest title of Pegula’s career, but it is an important one. It reinforces her position as a top-ranked player and gives her much-needed momentum for the upcoming WTA 1000 events.
If she continues to build on this success, Pegula could be a serious contender at the biggest tournaments in 2025.
Final Thoughts
This win cements Pegula’s status as one of the most consistent players on tour. With confidence restored, she will now turn her attention to bigger challenges ahead.
