Madison Keys beaten by podcast partner Jessica Pegula one minute, and cheering for her the next

One minute, Jessica Pegula was dismantling Madison Keys’ title defense with a clinical 6-3, 6-4 victory.

The next, the ousted champion was promising her full support for Pegula as she heads into an all-American quarterfinal against fourth-seeded Amanda Anisimova.

“I don't think she needs any sort of pep talk from me,” said Keys, who does a podcast with Pegula and is a close friend. “I think she's sure of her game and how she's playing. We'll just be cheering her on.”

The Grand Slam Keys won a year ago was her first, which brings some peace even in defeat. At least she has one as she turns 31 next month.

Pegula, on the other hand, has yet to win one. She turns 32 next month. She lost the U.S. Open final in 2024 to Aryna Sabalenka and is into the Australian Open quarterfinals for the fourth time. She's lost the previous three.

“I'd say it feels way better losing and still being defending champion,” the ninth-seeded Keys said. "It's not like the world is ending because I lost today.

“When we play 11 months out of the year, and you play almost every single week — I mean you can't maintain the roller-coaster of the highs of winning and the lows of being devastated every single week," Keys added.

Pegula, seeded No. 6 here, said facing a friend was no big deal. And ditto about facing another American in the quarterfinals.

“It almost is like a weird feeling beating them, going to the next round because they're someone you know well, that you see all the time, you practice with all the time. Maybe you train with them. Maybe you live near each other.”

On the other hand, it's part of the high-earning job.

“We're with each other pretty much every week, traveling a lot on the same flights, eating at the same dining, staying at the hotel a lot." Pegula explained. "We see each other so much that I think you kind of have that feeling with most of the girls."

Part of Pegula's on-court interview after the victory, and later in a press conference, was about a friendly bet the two made on the podcast before the match.

As the loser, Keys has to eat a slice of apple pie topped with a piece of cheese. Keys suggested it sounded unappetizing.

Had Pegula lost, she would have been forced to wear a Kansas City Chief football jersey. Her family owns the rival Buffalo Bills.

The pie with cheese will be palatable for Keys. However, Pegula said she would never stomach wearing a Chiefs' jersey.

“Absolutely not,” Pegula said. “My family owns the Bills. This team (the Chiefs) has owned us in the postseason.”

Jessica Pegula of the U.S. reacts after defeating her compatriot Madison Keys in their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Madison Keys of the U.S. waves at the crowd following her loss to her compatriot Jessica Pegula in their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Jessica Pegula, left, of the U.S., is congratulated by her compatriot Madison Keys after winning their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Jessica Pegula, left, of the U.S., is congratulated by her compatriot Madison Keys after winning their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistanis faced record fuel price increases Friday, as petrol and diesel prices rose by up to 54% driven by the war in the Middle East that has caused global oil prices to surge.

The increase adds pressure to a cash-strapped nation already grappling with high inflation, as economists warned the hike would push up food prices and living costs.

Pakistan's Petroleum Minister Pervez Malik said late Thursday that the increase was “unavoidable.” He said the government was compelled to raise petrol prices by 137 rupees (49 cents) per liter, following a 20% increase last month.

Diesel prices were increased overnight by 184.49 rupees (67 cents) per liter, a rise of about 54.9%.

Malik said the adjustments were “necessary and unavoidable” in line with global market trends, adding that the government plans to subsidize fuel for motorcyclists, though a mechanism has yet to be finalized. Motorcycles overwhelmingly outnumber cars in Pakistan, accounting for nearly 78% of all vehicles on the road, as they are among the most affordable modes of commuting.

On Friday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said public transport in Islamabad will be free for 30 days from Saturday on the prime minister’s instructions, and his ministry will cover the fuel costs.

Pakistan in recent weeks has used alternate routes to get oil due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The unprecedented price increase came after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said regional instability had affected Pakistan’s fragile economy. He said the government was pursuing diplomatic efforts to ease tensions and encourage dialogue between the parties involved.

Pakistan has offered to host peace talks, though no dates have been announced for any such meetings in Islamabad.

However, for many citizens, the impact of the ongoing tensions and recent fuel price increases was immediate, with households and commuters bracing for higher transportation and daily living costs.

“It’s not just gas,” said Mohammad Zain Alvi, a commuter waiting for a bus in Islamabad. “Life was already very difficult for us, and now everything will become more expensive.”

Across major cities Friday, fuel stations were unusually quiet and traffic noticeably lighter as many people stayed home, unable or unwilling to bear the higher costs. At some stations, customers stood in silence after hearing the new rates.

“We have nothing to do with the war,” said Azhar Ali, a junior government employee who uses an old motorcycle to commute from Rawalpindi to Islamabad. “Why are we being made to pay for it? This will affect everything — transport, food, our entire lives.”

In the northwestern city of Peshawar, motorcycle rider Sher Khan said he was uncertain how he would continue working after the spike in fuel prices. He delivers food in the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

“I earn so little for each ride, and now most of it will go into fuel,” he told The Associated Press.

Jabran Sarfraz, a prominent economist in Karachi, said the immediate burden would fall on consumers, warning that higher fuel prices would raise the cost of daily necessities and disproportionately affect lower-income groups. He said the duration of the impact would depend on how quickly global prices ease.

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Khan reported from Peshawar, Pakistan.

Motorcyclists crowd into a filling station as they wait their turn to buy fuel, in Karachi, Pakistan, Thursday, April 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Ali Raza)

Motorcyclists crowd into a filling station as they wait their turn to buy fuel, in Karachi, Pakistan, Thursday, April 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Ali Raza)

A motorcyclist looks at the display at a fuel station as he buys fuel after the government increased fuel prices amid surging global oil prices due to the Iran war, in Peshawar, Pakistan, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)

A motorcyclist buys fuel after the government increased fuel prices amid surging global oil prices due to the Iran war, in Peshawar, Pakistan, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)

A worker fills fuel into a motorbike after the government increased fuel prices amid surging global oil prices due to the Iran war, in Peshawar, Pakistan, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)