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Match details
Fixture: (3) Jessica Pegula vs (10) Elena Rybakina
Date: March 30, 2023
Tournament: Miami Open 2023
Round: Semi-final
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
Jessica Pegula vs Elena Rybakina preview
World No. 3 Jessica Pegula will look to end Elena Rybakina's 12-match winning streak when she takes on the Kazakh in their first semi-final encounter at the 2023 Miami Open on Thursday, March 30.
Pegula emerged victorious after a marathon tussle over Anastasia Potapova late on Wednesday, saving a match point en route to the 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(2) victory. The win marked her second three-set win over the Russian, who has herself been in excellent form of late.
It also helped Pegula improve her season's win-loss record to 19-9 and book her spot in a third semi-final — and second at the WTA 1000 level.
Rybakina, meanwhile, seems to have found her footing after a rocky start to the tournament. Battling past Anna Kalinskaya and Paula Badosa in her opening two matches, the Kazakh eased past Elise Mertens and Martina Trevisan. She now has 20 match wins for the season, the most tied with Aryna Sabalenka.
More importantly, Rybakina still finds herself in the reckoning for the rare Sunshine Double. She bested the field in Indian Wells, lifting her first WTA 1000 trophy a fornight ago.
Jessica Pegula vs Elena Rybakina head-to-head
Pegula leads Rybakina in their current head-to-head with a 2-0 margin. Their last meeting, which came at the 2022 Guadalajara Open, went to a third-set tiebreaker.
Jessica Pegula vs Elena Rybakina odds
(Odds to be updated soon.)
Jessica Pegula vs Elena Rybakina prediction
Elena Rybakina's current form has seen her surge to wins over the top-2 ranked players in Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka in the last fortnight. And while Jessica Pegula has won both of her previous meetings against the Kazakh, she has a daunting task ahead of her.
The American got a good taste of what was to come in terms of big hitting during her match against Potapova. With that being said, Rybakina possesses a bigger weapon in the form of her serve — which has been key to success in recent times.
When putting the first serve in, has won well over 75 percent of the points. In such a situation, Pegula will need to be on the lookout for second serves and any openings that come her way on return.
The quick courts in Miami do play into the American's comfort, but the conditions will propel Rybakina's serve and groundstrokes as much as Pegula's flat hitting.
For the third seed, the key will be to stay with Rybakina long enough to frustrate her. She will need some help from her opponent, who, barring the fatigue factor, is the favorite to go all the way.
Prediction: Rybakina to win in two tight sets
