World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is set to compete against No. 4 Jessica Pegula in the Miami Open final, marking the culmination of 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 faced Li Na. The winner will be the first Top 10 player to secure a WTA 1000 title or higher this season.
After recent final losses at the Australian Open and Indian Wells, Sabalenka aims to win her first WTA 1000 title this year. Pegula seeks to avenge her defeats to Sabalenka in the Cincinnati and US Open finals last year. Here’s a preview of this exciting match.
Match Details
When is the women`s singles final?
The final will be held on Saturday, March 29, starting at 3 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The doubles final is scheduled for Sunday, March 30 at 12:30 p.m.
Rankings Points and Prize Money
Both Sabalenka and Pegula have already earned 650 WTA ranking points and $597,890 in prize money by reaching the final.
The champion will receive 1,000 points and $1,124,380.
Sabalenka will remain World No. 1 regardless of the outcome, while Pegula could 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, joining a list of tennis stars. Despite losing the Indian Wells final, she has not dropped a set in Miami.
Sabalenka`s path to the final included victories over Viktoriya Tomova, Elena-Gabriela Ruse (retired), Danielle Collins, Zheng Qinwen, and Jasmine Paolini, all in straight sets.
Pegula, in contrast, has had longer matches, going the distance in three of her five matches. She defeated Bernarda Pera, Anna Kalinskaya, Marta Kostyuk, Emma Raducanu, and Alexandra Eala to reach the final.
Pegula has spent significantly more time on court than Sabalenka in Miami, logging 9 hours and 44 minutes compared to Sabalenka`s 5 hours and 43 minutes.
Head-to-Head Record
Sabalenka holds a 6-2 lead in their head-to-head record, including 4-2 on hard courts and 2-0 in finals.
Their first encounter was in 2020, with Pegula winning. Sabalenka then dominated their clay court matches. More recently, Sabalenka won both the Cincinnati and US Open finals in 2024.
Milestones at Stake
Sabalenka is playing in 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 over a reigning World No. 1 and become the oldest player to defeat the World No. 1 in a final since 1993 if she wins.
Sabalenka aims to secure her second tournament with three Top 10 wins.
Player Perspectives
Pegula: Acknowledges Sabalenka`s superior results and anticipates a tough match but expresses pride in reaching another 1000 final.
Sabalenka: Highlights their history of tough matches and describes their US Open final as “crazy,” emphasizing the mental aspect of the game.
Pegula: Hopes her improved serve will be a factor and recognizes Sabalenka`s strong return game. Believes she can create chances despite Sabalenka`s confidence and aggressive playstyle.
Sabalenka: Suggests mental toughness might be a differentiating factor in their matches, but underscores the need to consistently bring that mental strength.
