“I had chances at the US Open": Jessica Pegula’s shot at redemption against Sabalenka in Miami Open final
WTA
American tennis player Jessica Pegula is gearing up for her rematch against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Miami Open final. The 31-year-old will look to correct past mistakes, such as in the 2024 US Open final, in order to finally overcome the Belarusian.
The world No. 4 reached her first Miami Open final after defeating rising star Alexandra Eala 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-2. The 19-year-old Filipino had already knocked out several top WTA players, including Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Swiatek. It was a tight match for Pegula, but she managed to prevail with composure.
The American praised Eala, stating, “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,” after their semifinal clash.
However, Pegula's biggest challenge in the tournament will be facing world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who is aiming for her first Miami Open title. Both players are experienced in these high-stakes matches, having met in two previous finals: the 2024 Cincinnati Open and the 2024 US Open. On both occasions, Sabalenka won in straight sets.
Looking ahead to the final, Pegula highlighted the need to avoid repeating the mistakes she made in the US Open final, where she was close to forcing a third set but let her lead slip. “I had chances at the US Open, up 5-3 in that second set. Who knows what would have happened there.” That match ended 7-5, 7-5, with Sabalenka claiming her third major title.
The 30-year-old Pegula expressed confidence in her game ahead of the final, particularly in her serve: “I do feel like I’m serving a little bit better. Hopefully, I can serve well Saturday. I think that’s something you have to do against her. She returns really well. I have been returning well, so I always feel like even though she’s one of the best servers in the world, I can give myself a chance maybe to break her. But she’s tough.”
Regarding Sabalenka’s current level, Pegula acknowledged: “She’s playing with a lot of confidence. She likes, I think, a little bit quicker hard courts as well, playing one-two punch, playing an aggressive game.” Their head-to-head record stands at 6-2 in favor of Aryna Sabalenka (3-2 on hard courts).
Match Info:
Aryna Sabalenka - Jessica Pegula
Start time (local): Sat, 29 Mar, 3:00 PM
Start time (your time): Sun, 30 Mar, 3:00 AM
Court: Stadium
Tournament: Miami Open presented by Itaú
Round: Final
Head-to-Head
| Sabalenka | Pegula | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 6 | 2 |
| Win Streak | 2 | 0 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 1 | 4 |
| Race Ranking | 2 | 8 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 1 | 4 |
| Live Race Ranking | 1 (+1) | 5 (+3) |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 26 (5 May 1998) | 31 (24 Feb 1994) |
| Birthplace | Minsk, Belarus | Buffalo, New York, US |
| Residence | Miami, Florida, US | Boca Raton, Florida, US |
| Height | 5'11" (182cm) | 5'6" (170cm) |
| Weight | 176lbs (80kg) | 154lbs (70kg) |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Turned Pro | 2015 | 2012 |
| Coach | Anton Dubrov | Mark Knowles, Mark Merklein (2024–) |
| YTD W/L | 20-4 (83%) | 18-5 (78%) |
| YTD Titles | 1 | 1 |
| Career Titles | 18 | 7 |
| Prize Money | US $32,163,253 - 10th in all-time rankings | US$ 16,965,971 - 32nd in all-time rankings |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
A Sabalenka d J Pegula US Open - Final7-5 | 7-5 7 Sep 2024 |
||
|
A Sabalenka d J Pegula WTA Cincinnati - Final6-3 | 7-5 19 Aug 2024 |
||
|
J Pegula d A Sabalenka WTA Finals -6-4 | 6-3 31 Oct 2023 |
||
|
A Sabalenka d J Pegula WTA Finals -6-3 | 7-5 4 Nov 2022 |
||
|
A Sabalenka d J Pegula WTA Rome - Round of 166-1 | 6-4 12 May 2022 |
||
|
A Sabalenka d J Pegula WTA Madrid - Round of 166-1 | 6-2 4 May 2021 |
||
|
A Sabalenka d J Pegula French Open - Round of 1286-3 | 6-1 29 Sep 2020 |
||
|
J Pegula d A Sabalenka WTA Cincinnati - Round of 166-2 | 2-6 | 6-3 25 Aug 2020 |
||
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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mandoist12-11-2026 - Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
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- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
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