Aryna Sabalenka highlights where she has an edge over Jessica Pegula ahead of Miami Open final

World number one Aryna Sabalenka believes that she has a mental toughness edge over America’s Jessica Pegula in the final of the Miami Open. The 27-year-old, who is regarded as one of the best players currently playing in women’s tennis in the singles category, along with the likes of Poland’s Iga Swiatek, defeated Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the semifinal in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-2.

On the other hand, Pegula cemented her spot in the last two after beating the Philippines’ Alexandra Eala with a score of 7-6, 5-7, 6-3. Talking ahead of the final, Sabalenka was quoted in a report by The Tennis Gazette, where she stated that the only advantage she can think of over Pegula is her mental toughness. She also talked about the fact that both players had really exciting encounters in the past and she is expecting the same in the final on Sunday.

“I don’t know,” she said. “I don’t want to talk like that, that I do something better than her. I don’t know – she is a great player. If we think about serve or ground strokes or even volleys, everyone can play great shots. I think it is all about the mental part of the game. Maybe mentally some moments I am a bit tougher than her. But also you can’t say I am tougher than her, that’s it. You have to bring that toughness every time. We have had a lot of tough matches against each other. It’s always great battles. Cincinnati was a great level from me probably but maybe not really from her And then finals [US Open] was a crazy match again, she fought really hard in that second set and it was a tough match. It’s always great battles and I’m always excited to face her.”

It will be the ninth meeting between the two players in professional tennis. In the previous eight meetings, Sabalenka had a clear edge, winning six times and suffering just two defeats.