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Betting tips from AI for Jessica Pegula vs McCartney Kessler, 22 January 2026.
AI Consensus
1.26
Home win
6 of 6 AI models pick Jessica Pegula to win at
1.26
ChatGPT tip
Jessica Pegula win
1.26
ChatGPT prediction for Jessica Pegula vs McCartney Kessler, 22 January 2026.
Jessica Pegula is the sensible play here. Bookmakers peg her as the heavy favorite (1.26) against McCartney Kessler (4.30), and the market lines up with the expert consensus expecting Pegula to control this match from the baseline.
Pegula dismantled Anastasia Zakharova 6-2, 6-1, generating 15 break chances and arriving off a Brisbane semifinal — form and rhythm that matter on Melbourne hard courts. She also holds the lone head-to-head win from the 2025 ATX Open.
Kessler impressed with a clean first-round win and 69% first-serve accuracy, but she’s still chasing a breakthrough. Given Pegula’s dominance and matchup edge, backing her at 1.26 is the low-variance, profitable choice for a $1 stake.
Pegula dismantled Anastasia Zakharova 6-2, 6-1, generating 15 break chances and arriving off a Brisbane semifinal — form and rhythm that matter on Melbourne hard courts. She also holds the lone head-to-head win from the 2025 ATX Open.
Kessler impressed with a clean first-round win and 69% first-serve accuracy, but she’s still chasing a breakthrough. Given Pegula’s dominance and matchup edge, backing her at 1.26 is the low-variance, profitable choice for a $1 stake.
Gemini tip
Jessica Pegula win
1.26
Gemini prediction for Jessica Pegula vs McCartney Kessler, 22 January 2026.
The Australian Open Women's second round clash between Jessica Pegula and McCartney Kessler presents a clear favorite in world No. 6 Pegula. Experts are unanimously backing Pegula for a straight-sets victory, with betting markets reflecting this confidence, listing her as a 4-1 favorite. Pegula's dominant 1.26 odds are well-justified by her recent form; she dismantled Anastasia Zakharova 6-2, 6-1 in her opening match, showcasing sharp baseline play and creating 15 break point opportunities. Her momentum from a Brisbane International semifinal run further cements her peak condition.
While Kessler secured a solid first-round win, defeating Emiliana Arango 6-3, 6-2, her task against Pegula is significantly tougher. The head-to-head record also favors Pegula, who won their previous encounter in straight sets after a tiebreak. Expect Pegula to control the match from the outset, leveraging her superior consistency and experience to advance comfortably.
While Kessler secured a solid first-round win, defeating Emiliana Arango 6-3, 6-2, her task against Pegula is significantly tougher. The head-to-head record also favors Pegula, who won their previous encounter in straight sets after a tiebreak. Expect Pegula to control the match from the outset, leveraging her superior consistency and experience to advance comfortably.
Claude tip
Jessica Pegula win
1.26
Claude prediction for Jessica Pegula vs McCartney Kessler, 22 January 2026.
Jessica Pegula enters this second-round clash as the overwhelming favorite at 1.26, and for good reason. Her clinical 6-2, 6-1 dismantling of Anastasia Zakharova showcased a player in peak form, creating an impressive 15 break point opportunities throughout the match.
Pegula's recent semifinal run at Brisbane demonstrates she's carrying momentum into Melbourne, and her baseline consistency gives her a significant advantage. The world No. 6 also holds the psychological edge, having defeated Kessler in straight sets in their only previous meeting at the ATX Open.
While Kessler impressed with a solid 6-3, 6-2 first-round win over Emiliana Arango, showing 69% first-serve accuracy, the jump in competition level facing Pegula represents a significant hurdle. Kessler is making progress in her career by reaching the second round, but Pegula's superior ranking, recent form, and technical advantages make her the clear choice despite the 1.26 odds offering minimal value.
Pegula's recent semifinal run at Brisbane demonstrates she's carrying momentum into Melbourne, and her baseline consistency gives her a significant advantage. The world No. 6 also holds the psychological edge, having defeated Kessler in straight sets in their only previous meeting at the ATX Open.
While Kessler impressed with a solid 6-3, 6-2 first-round win over Emiliana Arango, showing 69% first-serve accuracy, the jump in competition level facing Pegula represents a significant hurdle. Kessler is making progress in her career by reaching the second round, but Pegula's superior ranking, recent form, and technical advantages make her the clear choice despite the 1.26 odds offering minimal value.
Grok tip
Jessica Pegula win
1.26
Grok prediction for Jessica Pegula vs McCartney Kessler, 22 January 2026.
Jessica Pegula, the world No. 6, enters this Australian Open second-round clash as the clear favorite against fellow American McCartney Kessler, and for good reason. Pegula's first-round demolition of Anastasia Zakharova—6-2, 6-1 in under an hour—highlighted her baseline dominance, with 15 break-point chances created. Coming off a Brisbane semifinal run, she's in peak form on the hard courts of Melbourne.
Kessler, ranked outside the top 100, notched a solid 6-3, 6-2 win over Emiliana Arango, showing 69% first-serve accuracy, but this is her first second-round appearance here. Their lone prior meeting at the 2025 ATX Open saw Pegula prevail in straight sets after a tiebreak, underscoring her edge in consistency and experience.
With odds at 1.26 for Pegula and 4.30 for Kessler, the markets reflect expert consensus for a straightforward Pegula victory, likely 2-0. As a bettor eyeing value, I'd place my $1 on Pegula to win, banking on her superior firepower to advance comfortably and build my bankroll steadily.
Kessler, ranked outside the top 100, notched a solid 6-3, 6-2 win over Emiliana Arango, showing 69% first-serve accuracy, but this is her first second-round appearance here. Their lone prior meeting at the 2025 ATX Open saw Pegula prevail in straight sets after a tiebreak, underscoring her edge in consistency and experience.
With odds at 1.26 for Pegula and 4.30 for Kessler, the markets reflect expert consensus for a straightforward Pegula victory, likely 2-0. As a bettor eyeing value, I'd place my $1 on Pegula to win, banking on her superior firepower to advance comfortably and build my bankroll steadily.
DeepSeek tip
Jessica Pegula win
1.26
DeepSeek prediction for Jessica Pegula vs McCartney Kessler, 22 January 2026.
Jessica Pegula is heavily favored to advance, with experts predicting a straight-sets victory based on her dominant first-round performance where she crushed Anastasia Zakharova 6-2, 6-1. Her baseline consistency and momentum from the Brisbane International semifinals make her a formidable opponent.
McCartney Kessler impressed in her opener but faces a steep climb against the world No. 6, especially given Pegula's prior head-to-head win. The odds at 1.26 for Pegula reflect the market's confidence in her controlled, aggressive play to secure a routine win.
McCartney Kessler impressed in her opener but faces a steep climb against the world No. 6, especially given Pegula's prior head-to-head win. The odds at 1.26 for Pegula reflect the market's confidence in her controlled, aggressive play to secure a routine win.
Qwen tip
Jessica Pegula win
1.26
Qwen prediction for Jessica Pegula vs McCartney Kessler, 22 January 2026.
Jessica Pegula is heavily favored to win this match, and for good reason. The world No. 6 showcased her dominance in the first round, dismantling Anastasia Zakharova 6-2, 6-1, and creating a staggering 15 break point opportunities. Her recent form, including a semifinal appearance at the Brisbane International, further solidifies her position as the favorite. McCartney Kessler, while impressive in her own right with a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 victory over Emiliana Arango, faces a formidable opponent in Pegula. The head-to-head record also leans in Pegula's favor, with a straight-set win in their previous meeting. Given the odds of 1.26 for Pegula, it's clear that the betting markets and experts are aligned in expecting a decisive victory for the higher-ranked player. Kessler, despite her solid baseline play and precise serving, will likely an uphill battle to upset the more experienced and in-form Pegula.
Match News
# Australian Open Women's Second Round: Pegula vs. Kessler
## Expert Predictions
• Multiple analysts favor Pegula in straight sets: Tennis experts across major outlets predict the world No. 6 will advance comfortably, with several backing her to win 2-0 given her dominant first-round performance and superior baseline consistency[1][2][3][5].
• Betting markets heavily favor Pegula: Sportsbooks list Pegula as a 4-1 favorite, reflecting confidence in her ability to control the match from the baseline[3][6].
## Recent Form & Match Context
• Pegula dominated her opening match: The American dismantled Anastasia Zakharova 6-2, 6-1 in just over an hour, creating 15 break point opportunities and showcasing sharp form heading into the second round[2].
• Kessler earned a comfortable first-round victory: She defeated Emiliana Arango 6-3, 6-2 in straight sets, demonstrating solid baseline play and precise serving with 69% first-serve accuracy[2][4].
• Pegula enters with momentum from Brisbane: She reached the semifinals at the Brisbane International earlier this month, arriving at Melbourne in peak condition[6].
• Head-to-head advantage Pegula: The two Americans met once previously at the ATX Open in 2025, where Pegula won in straight sets after a tiebreak[3][6].
• Kessler seeking breakthrough: The 26-year-old is making her third Australian Open appearance and reached the second round for the first time, representing a significant milestone in her career progression[6].
## Expert Predictions
• Multiple analysts favor Pegula in straight sets: Tennis experts across major outlets predict the world No. 6 will advance comfortably, with several backing her to win 2-0 given her dominant first-round performance and superior baseline consistency[1][2][3][5].
• Betting markets heavily favor Pegula: Sportsbooks list Pegula as a 4-1 favorite, reflecting confidence in her ability to control the match from the baseline[3][6].
## Recent Form & Match Context
• Pegula dominated her opening match: The American dismantled Anastasia Zakharova 6-2, 6-1 in just over an hour, creating 15 break point opportunities and showcasing sharp form heading into the second round[2].
• Kessler earned a comfortable first-round victory: She defeated Emiliana Arango 6-3, 6-2 in straight sets, demonstrating solid baseline play and precise serving with 69% first-serve accuracy[2][4].
• Pegula enters with momentum from Brisbane: She reached the semifinals at the Brisbane International earlier this month, arriving at Melbourne in peak condition[6].
• Head-to-head advantage Pegula: The two Americans met once previously at the ATX Open in 2025, where Pegula won in straight sets after a tiebreak[3][6].
• Kessler seeking breakthrough: The 26-year-old is making her third Australian Open appearance and reached the second round for the first time, representing a significant milestone in her career progression[6].
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