Jessica Pegula Strives to Challenge Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina in Miami After Their Indian Wells Heroics

Jessica Pegula finished as runner-up at the Miami Open last year.

Jessica Pegula Strives to Challenge Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina in Miami After Their Indian Wells Heroics

Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, and Jessica Pegula (via X/The Tennis World/Tennis Channel)

In Short
  • Jessica Pegula aims to win her second WTA 1000 title at the Miami Open, targeting Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.
  • She has struggled against Rybakina and Sabalenka, holding a 3-9 and 3-5 head-to-head record respectively.
  • Pegula expressed frustration over a controversial hindrance call at Indian Wells, questioning the rule's application.

Jessica Pegula arrives in Florida for the Miami Open with the intentions of winning her second WTA 1000 title this season. But the American star understands that for her to accomplish such a feat, she will need to beat the current best players in the women’s circuit.

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina are at the top of her list at the tournament. Without a doubt, Pegula remains among the leading American players on tour and has enjoyed an excellent performance on the court since turning 30.

She kicked off her 2026 season by winning the Brisbane International and produced a similar result at the Australian Open, losing to eventual champion Rybakina in straight sets.

The 32-year-old raised her level at the Dubai Tennis Championships, navigating a difficult draw before defeating Amanda Anisimova and Elina Svitolina in the semi-finals and the final. The victory earned her first WTA 1000 title of the season. At Indian Wells, Pegula was aiming to reach yet another final but was cut short in the quarter-finals.

Pegula fell to Rybakina for the second time this season in the last eight of the tournament. She had led Rybakina 3-2 in their head-to-head record before November last year, but she lost to the Kazakhstan star at the WTA Finals, Australian Open, and Indian Wells, which has now seen Rybakina lead 5-3 on tour.

Also, she has a poor head-to-head record against Sabalenka, 3-9. The last time she defeated Sabalenka was at the Wuhan Open in October and reached the final of the tournament. During her press conference at the Miami Open, Pegula noted that she has to be able to challenge Rybakina and Sabalenka to be able to win a big title:

A lot of the big matches I’ve lost have been to them or Coco, or someone winning the tournament or a top 5 player, but I’ve done well in terms of improving my game and doing what I need to do. I’ve been playing a little bit more aggressive, serving a lot better, working on my movement, & figuring out different strategies/plays that I think work well against them….but they are playing amazing tennis right now and rightfully the two best in the world…I’ve been right there and super close. It’s hard you know.

Pegula has a chance of putting her comments to action at the Miami Open as she’s likely to face Rybakina in the quarter-finals. Both players are in the same half of the draw at the tournament. Should she beat Rybakina in the last eight, she has a possible clash with Sabalenka in the semi-finals of the tournament.

Jessica Pegula gives her take on the controversial hindrance call at Indian Wells

A controversial incident happened in the quarter-finals of the Indian Wells Open last week. During a quarter-final clash between Jack Draper and Daniil Medvedev, the two players were focused on winning the game. But in the eleventh game, Draper was penalized for hindrance despite winning the point after a prolonged rally.

Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula (via WTA Dubai)

After a lengthy review, the chair umpire awarded the points to Medvedev, sparking confusion among players and fans alike. Speaking on The Player’s Box podcast, Jessica Pegula expressed her frustration with the rules that were applied. The American star said that it was a weird call from the umpire:

It’s a new rule that’s changed this year. I think it’s kind of stupid to be able to go back and challenge something like that. I like it for double bounces — that makes sense. But for hindrance, it’s weird that you can lose the point five or six shots later and then go back and change it.

Aryna Sabalenka had also questioned the hindrance call rule after the incident between Draper and Medvedev. Nonetheless, the two players will be back on the court at the Miami Open, where they will be eager to make their mark. Medvedev finished as runner-up at the Indian Wells after losing to Jannik Sinner in the final.

Also Read: Daniil Medvedev Sends Clear Message on his Level Compared to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz