Jessica Pegula sets Eastbourne encounter with doubles partner Coco Gauff

Doubles partners Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff will face off in the Rothesay International quarterfinals after both advanced Wednesday at the WTA 500 event in Eastbourne.

Gauff was the first to get through and did so in emphatic fashion. The No. 5 seed required just 59 minutes to brush aside Jodie Burrage, 6-1, 6-1. Gauff broke the home hopeful six times from nine opportunities, while winning a notable 67 percent of her second-serve points after making just 51 percent of her first serves.

"It was super windy today. Happy with how I played," Gauff told press. "I mean, it was a fairly straightforward match. Looking forward to taking this momentum into the rest of the week."

Pegula confirmed their meeting when she fended off Camila Osorio. Seeded No. 3, the 29-year-old won the final 12 points of the contest to clinch it, 6-2, 1-6, 6-3, after one hour and 47 minutes. Pegula, who will be seeded No. 4 at Wimbledon, has now made it to the quarterfinal stage at seven tournaments this season in addition to helping lead the U.S. squad to victory at the United Cup.

Gauff and Pegula have met just once previously, at 2022 Dubai. Pegula took that first-round encounter, 6-4, 6-4, in a meeting that saw both players unseeded. The two were due to join forces later Wednesday for their doubles quarterfinal against Zhang Shuai and Caroline Dolehide.

Countrywoman Madison Keys also progressed to the last eight with a 6-2, 7-6 (3) victory over Wang Xiyu. Nine years ago, Keys celebrated her first WTA singles triumph here when she overcame Angelique Kerber. The world No. 25, bidding to reach her first final of 2023, next meets Petra Martic for a semifinal berth.

In the men’s draw, Mackenzie McDonald ousted defending champion Taylor Fritz, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (8). The top seed served for the first set at 5-4, led 4-2 in the second set and saw two set points slip away before being sent packing by his compatriot.

"I just stayed with it. I was down a break in both sets and just fought my way out of it. Didn't really let it get to me too much," assessed McDonald.

Second seed Tommy Paul lined up an all-American showdown with J.J. Wolf. Paul held off Sebastian Baez, 6-1, 7-6 (7), shutting the door on his fourth match point. Earlier, Wolf eliminated Luca Van Assche, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-2. He and Paul have not met previously on tour.