World No.Three Jessica Pegula has wasted no time stamping her title credentials by powering into the second spherical of the Australian Open early on day one at Melbourne Park.
However the high-profile American had extra vital issues on her thoughts as she despatched out a post-match message to Damar Hamlin, the NFL participant who went into cardiac arrest whereas enjoying for her father’s Buffalo Payments.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Jessica Pegula’s stunning tribute to Damar Hamlin.
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Pegula was Monday’s first winner, needing simply 59 minutes to see off the problem of Romania’s world No.161 Jaqueline Cristian 6-Zero 6-1.
She took out the opening 9 video games on Margaret Court docket Enviornment and sealed the lopsided victory with an ace.
Pegula, who comes from sporting royalty because the daughter of Buffalo Payments proprietor Terry, wrote a message to Hamlin after the win.
“Go Payments #3,” Pegula signed, referencing Hamlin’s jersey quantity, with a love coronary heart.
The 24-year-old defender suffered a cardiac arrest on the field during the recent Monday Night Football clash with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hamlin was discharged from hospital final week and visited Payments headquarters as he continues to make a exceptional restoration.
Following her win in Melbourne, Pegula was requested if she watched any of the workforce’s NFL playoffs victory over the Miami Dolphins on Monday AEDT.
“I awoke round 7am and received to principally watch many of the second half,” Pegula stated.
“The sport completed earlier than I began my warm-up so I used to be on the market watching.
“There weren’t many individuals out right here but, however I used to be right here watching.
“It would not actually have affected me (if that they had misplaced), I do not suppose, however I might have been aggravated that they misplaced. “
Pegula underlined her standing as a real likelihood to win a maiden grand slam title at Melbourne Park by crushing world No.1 and title favourite Iga Swiatek in straight units on the United Cup in early January.
She reached the quarter-finals at her earlier two Open campaigns and was crushed by eventual champion Ash Barty final yr.
Pegula will face Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich within the second spherical of the Australian Open after the Belarusian defeated 15-year-old Czech wunderkind Brenda Fruhvirtova.
– With AAP
