Elena Rybakina Stuns Pegula in Miami Open Quarter-Finals

Rybakina beats Pegula, faces Sabalenka or Baptiste

World number two Elena Rybakina overcame fifth-ranked Jessica Pegula to advance in Miami. Elena Rybakina rallied to beat Jessica Pegula 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 and reach the Miami Open semi-finals.

Rybakina to face Sabalenka or Baptiste in Miami semi-finals after beating Pegula...

Elena Rybakina came back from a set down to beat Jessica Pegula 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 and reach the Miami Open semi-finals. The world number two from Kazakhstan served up 12 aces in the win, extending her winning streak against the American to 5-0.

Rybakina, the reigning Australian Open champion, will be looking to keep her momentum going as she takes on the winner of Danielle Collins and Ekaterina Alexandrova in the semi-finals. 

Elena Rybakina's next opponent will be the winner of the quarter-final match between Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one and defending champion from Belarus, and Hailey Baptiste, the 45th-ranked American looking to reach her second WTA semi-final.

Rybakina has a 6-3 head-to-head record against Jessica Pegula, having beaten her in the Indian Wells quarter-final, Australian Open semi-finals, and last year's WTA Finals on the way to winning titles.

Rybakina resilience 🥶

Elena Rybakina comes through a tough test against Pegula!#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/mXEafZk27m

— wta (@WTA) March 25, 2026

 

Pegula stormed out to a 4-0 lead, breaking Rybakina twice in the opening set. Rybakina's unforced errors, including a netted forehand and a long forehand, gave Pegula the momentum. Pegula cruised to a 6-2 win in the first set, wrapping it up in just 35 minutes with only two unforced errors.

The American was in control, but Rybakina isn't one to give up easily. She'll look to turn things around in the second set. 

Rybakina dropped three overhead smashes in the fifth game of the second set but bounced back to hold serve, then broke Pegula when the American hit a forehand long, giving Rybakina a 4-2 lead. That momentum shift forced a deciding set.

Turned the tide and secured the win 🐠

Elena Rybakina defeated Pegula 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the Miami quarterfinals!#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/cpg7RuYIZS

— wta (@WTA) March 25, 2026

Rybakina broke Pegula early in the third set and maintained her lead, securing the win after 2 hours and 15 minutes. Now, she's off to the semi-finals.

Sabalenka, facing Baptiste later, hasn't lost to an unseeded player since falling to Marketa Vondrousova in Berlin last June. 

Aryna Sabalenka has been on fire this year, winning titles in Brisbane and Indian Wells. Her only loss in 2026 was to none other than Rybakina in the Australian Open final.

Sabalenka, the world number one, has plenty of experience in these situations, with this being her 32nd career WTA quarter-final. 

Grit and determination 💪

Elena Rybakina gets the job done against Pegula, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4!#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/bdXptIOROI

— wta (@WTA) March 25, 2026

Hailey Baptiste is riding a four-match winning streak, her longest in the WTA tour. The American is looking to build on her best WTA finish, a semi-final appearance at Abu Dhabi.

Baptiste will be facing tough opponent Sabalenka, but she's gained confidence from recent wins.