Elena Rybakina, sensational comeback at the Miami Open » Jessica Pegula's nightmare repeated itself for the third time this year
Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, 22:15 / Updated on Wednesday, 25 March 2026 22:16
Elena Rybakina (26 years old, #2 WTA) qualified for the semi-finals of the Miami Open after passing in the “quarters” of Jessica Pegula (32 years old, #5 WTA), score 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Rybakina will play in the penultimate act with the winner of Aryna Sabalenka (27 years old, #1 WTA) and Hailey Baptiste (24 years old, #45 WTA). The other semi-final is already set and will be contested between Coco Gauff (22 years old, #4 WTA) and Karolina Muchova (29 years old, #14 WTA).
Elena Rybakina beat Jessica Pegula again to advance to the Miami Open semifinals
Jessica Pegula started the match strong and quickly set the pace of the game, getting two breaks in her debut to make it 4-0. Rybakina then failed to trouble the player from the United States of America, who won the first set 6-2.
However, the momentum of the match started to change in the second set. Rybakina raised her level, especially on serve, saving 4 break points in the first 3 games on her own serve. Then, at 3-2 in her favor, Rybakina managed to capitalize on the second break chance of the match and distanced herself to 4-2 in the second set, which she later won 6-3.
The decisive set started with Pegula on serve, but the American surrendered the first game, losing on the opponent's second break point. Rybakina had a chance to make a double break at 3-1, but Pegula saved 3 break points. Later, the American had a chance to win on her opponent's serve, but Rybakina held strong and took the score to 4-2, then won the “decisive” with a score of 6-4.
Jessica Pegula in action at the 2026 Australian Open Photo: Guliver/GettyImages
It was the third meeting between the two players in 2026, and Pegula lost them all. Rybakina defeated the American in the semifinals of the Australian Open, score 6-3, 7-6(7), then managed to impose herself in the final with Aryna Sabalenka, score 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Rybakina also defeated Pegula at the previous tournament in the United States, Indian Wells, also in the “quarters” stage, score 6-1, 7-6(4). Rybakina would reach the grand final, which she lost to Aryna Sabalenka, score 6-3, 3-6, 6-7(6).
