"Jessica’s game is perfect for these conditions": Martina Navratilova compares game of Jessica Pegula to Lindsey Davenport ahead of WTA Finals conclusion

Martina Navratilova compared Jessica Pegula's game to that of Lindsay Davenport ahead of her appearance in the 2023 WTA Finals final.

World No. 5 Pegula has had a successful run at the 2023 WTA Finals in Cancun. The American player defeated Elena Rybakina, top seed Aryna Sabalenka, and Maria Sakkari before dominating her semi-final clash with compatriot and doubles partner Coco Gauff to win in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1.

As a result, she will face World No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the final of the season-ending championship today, Monday, November 6. Although Pegula trails in their overall head-to-head 3-5, the 29-year-old leads their record from this year 2-1 and emerged victorious their most recent clash at the Canadian Open in August.

Ahead of the tournament's epic conclusion, 59-time Grand Slam champion Navratilova analyzed Pegula's strengths and her chances of lifting the trophy.

"Once I saw Jessica playing in these conditions, I thought she’s got to be among the favorites. The way she played against Gauff, it didn’t even seem like it was windy on her side of the court. Jessica’s game is perfect for these conditions. If she can keep it up, I think she can definitely win. It’s just a clean game, with the wind or against the wind," she said.

The 67-year-old also likened Pegula's game to former World No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion Davenport while also lauding the former's mentality on the court.

"She reminds me of Lindsay Davenport, the way she’s hitting it. She doesn’t seem to hit it that hard, but it carries -- it’s a heavy ball and it gets through the wind. She said in an interview that she just made the decision to not let anything bother her, and it shows," Navratilova continued.