Jessica Pegula hopes “to bring out her best” against a “tough” Aryna Sabalenka in the Miami Open final
Jessica Pegula has faced Aryna Sabalenka eight times on Tour, with the latter leading 6-2 in their head-to-head record.
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Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula (Image via X/We Are Tennis, Daily Tribune)
Jessica Pegula earned her place in the Miami Open final after a tough battle against Alexandra Eala in the semi-finals. The American is yet to win a WTA 1000 title this season and she’s into her second final of the season. Ahead of her meeting with Aryna Sabalenka in the championship match, she hopes to play her best tennis.
Pegula has been in phenomenal form since arriving in Miami. The World No.5 managed to reach the Round of 16 of Indian Wells and then lost to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina. She opened her account in Florida with a win over fellow compatriot Bernarda Pera in straight sets. She came from behind to overcome Anna Kalinskaya in three sets in the next round.
She continued with the momentum and stopped Emma Raducanu from earning her fifth straight win in the quarter-finals. Against Eala, the 31-year-old prevailed in the first set after a tiebreak but the 19-year-old earned her way back to force the tie to a decider. However, she found a way to come out on top winning 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3.
Pegula now faces a tough test against Sabalenka in the final. The American failed to beat the Belarusian, twice when they met last year. But with her commanding form in Miami, she believes she will grab the win over the World No.1.
I feel like I’m one of the best on hard courts, although Aryna is a bit better than me, at least in terms of results, having won the Australian Open and the US Open, and also beaten me in Cincinnati. It will be tough, but I hope to bring out the best in me; that would be incredible. I’m proud to stand in front of one of the best on hard courts again, especially in the final of a WTA 1000. I’m super excited about how the year has started, I always felt I could win this tournament, I always went far and got good results.
Jessica Pegula said via Miami Open Press
Pegula won her first title of the season at the ATX Open which was before the Indian Wells. She’s in strong form having won 12 of her last 13 matches in the WTA Tour.
Jessica Pegula says it’s has become difficult to win tennis matches
Jessica Pegula remains one of the most experienced players on Tour. Among the Top 10, her record on the hard court has been outstanding. However, she has had to push hard to win her last two matches in Miami. Both matches ended in three sets, which in previous years would have been a straight sets victory. During her press conference, she narrated that it’s difficult to win tennis matches in recent months.
It’s very tough to win any tennis match, right now I’m exhausted and haven’t even won the tournament yet, but next week I’ll be in Charleston trying to do the same. And next year will be the same, it’s normal to get a bit hard thinking about defending points, but you shouldn’t worry about that.
Jessica Pegula said
Pegula has endured two consecutive late-night matches at the Miami Open. She will take a day’s rest before going to the court for the final. Also, she will hope fatigue doesn’t stop her from claiming the WTA 1000 title.
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Jessica Pegula Miami Open final
Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka are known rivals. They faced off last year at the 2024 Cincinnati Open final, with Sabalenka winning in straight sets. Two weeks later, they met again at the US Open final, with the World No.1 producing the same result. In her recent two against the Sabalenka, she has played poorly.
Both players have faced each other eight times on Tour, with the World No.1 leading 6-2 in their head-to-head record. The last time Pegula defeated Sabalenka was at the 2023 WTA Finals, where she secured a 6-4, 6-3 win.
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