Defending champion Keys reaches the Australian Open third round, fellow American Pegula joins her

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Defending champion Madison Keys survived a tough second-set challenge on Thursday but overcame fellow American Ashlyn Krueger 6-1, 7-5 to reach the third round of the Australian Open.

After sweeping through the first set, the ninth-seeded Keys fell behind 5-2 in the second set but rallied for the victory at John Cain Arena.

In another early match between two American women, sixth-seeded Jessica Pegula defeated McCartney Kessler 6-0, 6-2.

“I think I started really well and Ashlyn started a little bit slow,” Keys said. “And then I was fully expecting her to raise her level, which she did. It just kind of got away from me a little quickly.”

Keys said she tried to get back to basics, hoping she could at least prepare herself for a deciding third set.

Instead, she took the second.

“I just wanted to, even if I lost the (second) set, make sure I tried to get back in the set and try to figure out where my game kind of went and be able to get a few more points on the board," Keys said. "Once I kind of got back momentum I just tried to sink my teeth into the set and do whatever I could to get back into it.”

In early men's matches, eighth-seeded Ben Shelton of the United States reached the third round, defeating Australian qualifier Dane Sweeny 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

Two other seeded men also advanced. Fifth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti defeated fellow Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 6-3, 6-4, and No. 15 Karen Khachanov moved on with a win over Nishesh Basavereddy 6-1, 6-4, 6-3.

Later fourth-seeded and 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic was up against Francesco Maestrelli of Italy.

Ben Shelton of the U.S. plays a backhand return to Dane Sweeny of Australia during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Jessica Pegula, right, of the U.S. is congratulated by compatriot McCartney Kessler, left, following their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

McCartney Kessler of the U.S. plays a forehand return to compatriot Jessica Pegula during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Jessica Pegula of the U.S. plays a backhand return to compatriot McCartney Kessler during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Madison Keys of the U.S. waves after defeating compatriot Ashlyn Krueger in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Madison Keys of the U.S. plays a forehand return to compatriot Ashlyn Krueger during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Jalen Johnson had 32 points and 15 rebounds and a key basket in the closing minute as the Atlanta Hawks used a fourth-quarter burst and held on to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 124-122 on Wednesday night.

Luke Kennard and Onyeka Okongwu added 18 each for the Hawks, who snapped a four-game losing streak.

Ja Morant led Memphis with 23 points and 12 assists. His 3-point attempt at the horn was off the mark. Jaylen Wells finished with 18 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr. and Cedric Coward scored 17 points apiece.

Memphis held a 110-108 lead with 5:39 left, but the Hawks scored eight straight points, capped by a pair of free throws from Johnson. Memphis never overtook the Hawks the rest of the way, but were within 122-121 on a Coward 3-pointer with 1:09 left.

Johnson's basket from the lane with 40 seconds left kept the Grizzlies at bay.

There were 21 lead changes and 14 ties in the game.

The game was tight through the first three quarters with 16 lead changes and 10 ties before the Grizzlies held a 95-94 lead entering the final frame. The game remained close through the fourth, as the margin never got to more than six points.

Kennard, a former Grizzlies sharpshooter over three seasons, made his first six shots in the game, including four from beyond the arc to provid a burst for Atlanta. His 16 points in the half helped the Hawks lead 66-59 at intermission as the Hawks reached double-digit 3-pointers for the 37th straight game. Johnson also had 16 for Atlanta.

Morant led Memphis with 14 points in the half.

Hawks: Host the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.

Grizzlies: Host the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) drives against Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (0) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) drives against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (0) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) shoots against Memphis Grizzlies forwards Jaylen Wells (0) and GG Jackson II, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)