Rybakina Rallies Past Pegula Into Miami SF Possible Rematch v. Sabalenka

By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Photo credit: Miami Open Facebook

It’s been a dream start to the 2026 season for Jessica Pegula.

Dubai champion Pegula ran into her one recurring nightmare today: Elena Rybakina.

A sharp serving Rybakina rallied past Pegula 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 into her 13th career WTA 1000 semifinal at the Miami Open.

World No. 5 Pegula owns a 19-4 record on the year with three of her four losses coming against Rybakina: 6-3, 7-6(7) in the Australian Open semifinals in January and 6-1, 7-6(4) in the Indian Wells quarterfinals earlier this month.

Down a set today, Rybakina took a bathroom break then she took off.

The Australian Open champion cracked seven of her 12 aces in the second set and saved all four break points she faced over the final two sets.

If Aryna Sabalenka defeats American Hailey Baptiste in tonight’s final quarterfinal then Rybakina and Sabalenka will square off in a blockbuster semifinal showdown.

“For me, it’s not really about revenge, it’s about opportunity,” Rybakina told Tennis Channel’s Steve Weissman. “Of course, I know we push each other and I want to come out of the match being happy about what went on the court….Hopefully we’ll play many more times.”

The powerful pair have split two dramatic duels this season.

Spiraling through a five-game slide, Rybakina was down and nearly out in the Australian Open final.

A resilient Rybakina responded with a rousing title run.

Rybakina reeled off six of the last seven games stunning Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to capture her maiden Australian Open championship with a committed comeback in January.

Earlier this month, he reigning US Open champion Sabalenka saved a match point edging Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(6) in a classic Indian Wells final to avenge her AO loss. Sabalenka said learning from loss is one reason she’s been able to hold the top spot.

“We changed some preparation. I mean, it’s always a work process,” Sabalenka said. “You win, you lose.
You never lose actually, you learn. You just try to do better next time.”

Playing off the front foot in a phenomenal first set, Pegula rapped a forehand winner down the line then broke on a netted Rybakina forehand.

A confident Pegula charged through a love hold backing up the break for 2-0.

Serving for the set, Pegula was down 15-30 when she stung a serve winner down the T then coaxed a backhand return error off a second serve for set point.

A backhand defensive dig from Pegula extended the point and drew a netted response from Rybakina as the American closed a commanding 35-minute opening set.

Today, Rybakina staved off three break points in the fifth game of set two. Rybakina broke in the sixth game for a 4-2 second-set lead.

The third-seeded Kazakh converted her first set point to seal the second set and force a decider.

The 6’1″ Rybakina showed soft hands making some fine volleys under pressure in the final set.

Rybakina broke to start the third set and backed up the break at 15 for a 2-0 lead.

Pushed to break point in a tense 12-minute game, Rybakina stood tall. Rybakina rocketed an ace down the T holding for a 4-2 lead in the final set.

It was Rybakina’s fifth straight win over Pegula as she’s now won six of their nine career encounters.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Rybakina raised her 2026 record to 21-4 on the season as she aims to deny Sabalenka’s quest to become join Steffi Graf, Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka and Iga Swiatek as the fifth woman to sweep the Sunshine Double in the same season.