Miami Open 2023: Jessica Pegula vs Katherine Sebov preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick

Match Details

Fixture: (3) Jessica Pegula vs Katherine Sebov

Date: March 23, 2023

Tournament: Miami Open 2023

Round: Second round (Round of 64)

Venue: Miami Gardens, Florida, United States

Category: WTA 1000

Surface: Outdoor hardcourt

Prize money: $8,800,000

Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel/TC Plus | UK - Amazon Prime Video

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Jessica Pegula vs Katherine Sebov preview

Third seed and World No. 3 Jessica Pegula will begin her Miami Open 2023 campaign against Canadian qualifier Katherine Sebov on Thursday.

Pegula has compiled a pretty decent 15-5 win-loss record for the year heading into the second tournament of the Sunshine Double. She started the season by winning four out of five matches at the United Cup, with her only loss coming against former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova. The American backed it up with a quarterfinal appearance at the Australian Open and a runner-up finish at the Qatar Open thereafter.

Pegula finished the Middle Eastern swing with a semifinal defeat to eventual champion Barbora Krejcikova in Dubai. At the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, the home hope suffered her only pre-quarterfinal defeat of the year, going down against her nemesis Kvitova once again in the Round of 16.

Jessica Pegula will hope to quickly rebound in Miami, a tournament where she made the semifinals last year.

Toronto-born Katherine Sebov, meanwhile, has three ITF titles, with her most recent win coming at a $25,000 event at home earlier this month. That propelled her to a career-high world ranking of 172nd, where she's currently perched.

The 24-year-old made her Grand Slam main draw debut at the Australian Open in January after winning three rounds of qualifying, which remains her other big highlight of the year. However, her run was cut short in the first round by World No. 4 Caroline Garcia.

Sebov won a couple of rounds to qualify for this week's Miami Open. She grabbed the opportunity with both hands, sending World No. 50 Linda Fruhvirtova packing in three sets in the first round of the main draw.

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Jessica Pegula vs Katherine Sebov head-to-head

Pegula and Sebov have never squared off on the tour. Hence, they are tied 0-0 in their head-to-head.

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Jessica Pegula vs Katherine Sebov odds

(Odds sourced from oddschecker.com)

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Jessica Pegula vs Katherine Sebov prediction

Clearly, there's a wide gulf in experience between Jessica Pegula and Katherine Sebov. It goes without saying that Pegula will be a step up for the young Canadian.

The American has been one of the most consistent performers on the women's tour for more than a year now. Moreover, the courts in Miami are faster, which will further suit the American's aggressive ball-striking.

Sebov did have the biggest win of her career on Tuesday (March 21), but it needs to be noted that she was aided by a poor serving performance from Fruhvirtova, who coughed up 13 double faults. Pegula is unlikely to show the same kind of mercy.

Moreover, Sebov could also be feeling the effects of her 2-hour 11-minute marathon against the Czech. The World No. 3 won't hesitate to punish her inexperienced opponent should she sense a dip in her intensity.

Pick: Pegula to win in straight sets