Rybakina Beats Pegula to Reach Miami Open 2026 Semifinals
Elena Rybakina completed a dramatic comeback to defeat Jessica Pegula 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the Miami Open quarter-finals, securing her spot in the semi-finals for the third time. This victory marked Pegula’s fifth consecutive loss to the Kazakhstani player, extending a dominance that includes wins at the Australian Open and Indian Wells this year.
Dramatic Shift in the Second Set
It is the third time Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina have met this year, as Rybakina has won the last two in straight sets at the Australian Open and Indian Wells. Through the opening set, Pegula was seen dominating, and Rybakina was the one who looked flustered. But in the second set, the game witnessed a dramatic turn by the world no. 2, flipping the script. Pegula soon found herself serving to stay in it at 2-5.
She squandered three break points at 2-2 in the second set, allowing Rybakina to seize momentum and level the match. Pegula came through a tough service game and voiced her frustration towards her coaches, Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein, noting she is creating chances but needs to convert them against top-tier opponents. Rybakina fired 12 aces and saved crucial break points to overcome an early deficit despite Pegula winning more total points.
With no doubt, Rybakina was in the best form of her career, having compiled a tour-leading 21 matches this year. Following the win in her WTA Finals triumph in November, which gained her a second grand slam title at the Australian Open in January, Rybakina has continued to play at a high level in March. Rybakina said to the press that last year she struggled in the game, but this time, she has a plan for each match.
In the meantime, Sky Sports commentator Jonathan Overend issued an apology because he had to warn viewers about Jessica Pegula’s explicit language during her match, while serving in the second set, prompting the broadcaster to apologize for the profanity.
2026 Miami Open Women’s Semifinals: Key Storylines and Fan Interest
The 2026 Miami Open Women’s semifinals are scheduled today, March 26, 2026, night session, with a start time of not before 1:30 am ET. This session includes the American fourth seed, Coco Gauff, and Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic playing on the other side. If Gauff reaches the final, she will overtake former world number one Iga Swiatek to move third in the WTA rankings next week.
The exciting part is that Rybakina will face the winner of the semi-final clash between Aryna Sabalenka and Hailey Baptiste. Rybakina-Sabalenka is a rematch of the finals at both the Australian Open and Indian Wells, with Sabalenka leading their head-to-head 9-7 earlier this year, making it one of the most anticipated rivalries in women’s tennis.
Fans are closely focused on whether Sabalenka can complete the coveted ‘sunshine double’ and how Rybakina will respond after her recent Grand Slam victory. To know the live rankings, rush to the WTA rankings.
