“I had chances at the US Open": Jessica Pegula’s shot at redemption against Sabalenka in Miami Open final

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.

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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.

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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.”

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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).

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