Jessica Pegula says Alexandra Eala has proven she’s “a great player” after Miami’s dream run ends

Jessica Pegula into her sixth WTA 1000 final after defeating Alexandra Eala in the semi-finals of the Miami Open.

Jessica Pegula says Alexandra Eala has proven she’s “a great player” after Miami’s dream run ends

Jessica Pegula and Alexandra Eala (via NDTV Sport)

Jessica Pegula ended the fairytale run of Alexandra Eala in the semi-final of the Miami Open. The American earned her fifth consecutive win to book a place in the final of the WTA 1000. However, despite beating the Philippines, the 31-year-old was in awe of her talent and said she was a great player.

Eala’s chances of getting beyond the second round of the Miami Open were almost zero. She did the nearly impossible by stunning Jelena Ostapenko and then beating the Australian Open champion Madison Keys. She was supposed to face Paula Badosa in the fourth round but the Spaniard withdrew due to injury.

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With enough time on her hands, she prepared for Iga Swiatek, and her hard work paid off dramatically. The 19-year-old needed only straight sets to oust the World No.2 in the quarter-finals. Against Pegula, she played great tennis, but the American, who is a hardcourt master, found a way to beat her in three sets.

After the match, an exhausted Pegula was asked how she could describe Eala’s style of play. The World No.5 praised the World No.140 for her skills and talent, adding that she definitely proved she was a very good tennis player.

She’s really good. She’s a really good tennis player, goes for her shots, takes the ball early … competes really well, she’s beaten a lot of top players this week — I don’t think she needs me to tell her that she’s a great player, that we’re not going to see enough of her, we definitely are, and she proved that tonight.

Jessica Pegula said via Miami Open Press

Eala made a record in Miami by becoming the first Filipino to beat a Grand Slam player in a WTA 1000 tournament. She is also set to reach a career-high ranking of World No.75 when the rankings are updated on Monday.

Jessica Pegula becomes the third player with the highest WTA 1000 final after turning 30

Jessica Pegula is into her sixth WTA 1000 final and a third since turning 30. In her five previous appearances, she has won three and lost two. She now seeks her fourth crown at this level of event and eighth singles title overall. Only Serena Williams (16) and Li Na (4) have reached more WTA 1000 finals since turning 30.

Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula (Image via X/@z_kortu)

Pegula has a big chance of winning the title as she’s in strong form heading into the final against Aryna Sabalenka. She has won 12 of her last 13 matches and recently won the ATX Open in February. Also, against Pegula, it will be her third final of the season, she has won one and lost one.

Aryna Sabalenka happy for an opportunity to win the Miami Open

Aryna Sabalenka is seeking for a second title of the season. The World No.1 has suffered two consecutive championship match losses, first against Madison Keys at the US Open final and then against Mirra Andreeva in Indian Wells. After beating Jasmine Paolini in the semi-finals of the Miami Open, she was excited at another opportunity to claim a title.

Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka (via X)

Super happy that I was able to give myself another chance, another final, another opportunity to hold a trophy.

Aryna Sabalenka said via Miami Open Press

Sabalenka and Pegula will face each other for the third time in the last seven months. The former leads the 6-2 in their head-to-head record and has won the last two meetings in the last North American hardcourt swing.