World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is set to face No. 4 Jessica Pegula in the Miami Open final, the fourth WTA 1000 tournament of the 2025 season.
This is the first Miami Open final featuring two Top 5 players since 2014, when Serena Williams defeated Li Na. The winner will be the first Top 10 player to win a WTA 1000 or higher title this season.
After losing in the finals of the Australian Open and Indian Wells, Sabalenka aims to win her first WTA 1000 title of the year. Pegula is looking for revenge after losing to Sabalenka in last year`s Cincinnati and US Open finals. Here’s a preview of their upcoming match.
When is the final?
The women`s singles final is on Saturday, March 29, starting at 3 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Rankings points and prize money
By reaching the Miami final, both Sabalenka and Pegula have already secured 650 WTA ranking points and $597,890 in prize money.
The champion will receive 1,000 points and $1,124,380.
Sabalenka will remain World No. 1 regardless of the outcome. Pegula can rise to No. 3 if she wins.
Paths to the final
Sabalenka is the sixth player this century to reach the finals of both Indian Wells and Miami consecutively, following in the footsteps of tennis stars like Kim Clijsters and Iga Swiatek. Despite losing the Indian Wells final, Sabalenka has not dropped a set in Miami, winning against players like Viktoriya Tomova and Zheng Qinwen.
Sabalenka`s path to the final included wins over Viktoriya Tomova (6-3, 6-0), Elena-Gabriela Ruse (6-1, retired), Danielle Collins (6-4, 6-4), Zheng Qinwen (6-2, 7-5), and Jasmine Paolini (6-2, 6-2).
Pegula, in contrast, had a tougher journey, playing three matches that went to three sets. She defeated Bernarda Pera, Anna Kalinskaya, Marta Kostyuk, Emma Raducanu, and Alexandra Eala to reach the final.
Pegula`s matches have been longer, spending significantly more time on court than Sabalenka.
Head-to-head record
Head to Head
Aryna Sabalenka
BLR
75% Win 6
25% Win 2
Jessica Pegula
USA
Matchup history
Sabalenka leads Pegula in their head-to-head series 6-2, with a 4-2 advantage on hard courts and 2-0 in finals.
Their first match was in 2020, where Pegula, ranked No. 83, defeated No. 11 Sabalenka.
Sabalenka won their next three matches on clay courts easily.
In 2022, Sabalenka also won at the WTA Finals. However, Pegula broke her losing streak in 2023 at the same event.
Sabalenka won their most recent two matches in hard-court finals in 2024, at Cincinnati and the US Open.
Milestones at stake
Sabalenka is playing her fourth final this season, aiming for her second title of the year and 19th overall.
Pegula is in her third final of 2025, seeking her second title of the year and eighth overall.
Pegula could achieve her fifth win against a reigning World No. 1. If she wins, she will become the oldest player to defeat a World No. 1 in a final since 1993.
Sabalenka aims to secure her second tournament with three Top 10 wins, repeating her 2022 WTA Finals achievement.
Player perspectives
Pegula: “She`s just slightly better than me in results, with wins at Australia and the US Open. It`ll be tough, but I hope to win this time. I`m proud to compete with the best hard court players and reach another 1000 final.”
Sabalenka: “We`ve had many tough matches, always great battles. Cincinnati was a high level for me, maybe less so for her. The US Open final was another crazy match. She fought hard in the second set, making it very challenging.”
Pegula: “I feel my serve has improved, which is crucial against her strong returns. I believe I can create chances to break her serve. She`s confident and aggressive, especially on faster hard courts.”
Sabalenka: “I don`t want to say I`m better, but maybe mentally I`m tougher in key moments. However, mental toughness needs to be consistent.”
Rupert Caldwell