Jessica Pegula says Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina have pushed her to adapt her game

Jessica Pegula’s impressive run through the 2026 season has carried over to the Miami Open, where she’s now into the quarter-finals.

But things don’t get any easier from here. Next up is Elena Rybakina, fresh off her Australian Open title, and the winner could be set for a showdown with world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.

Pegula isn’t hiding from the challenge, even if it comes earlier in the tournament than she’d like. She spoke about it ahead of what should be an entertaining matchup between two top-10 talents.

Jessica Pegula is better because of Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina

Pegula said of Rybakina on Tennis Channel after knocking out Jaqueline Cristian: “I wish I was playing her later to be honest!

“I think it’s tough having to play Rybakina in the quarters. Is she in the top half as well, with Sabalenka? I am like it’s crazy stacked!

“Maybe I wish I was playing her a little later but I love the challenge.

“To be honest those girls, especially Aryna and Elena, have really pushed me to figure out how to become better at a lot of things.

“I think in a way we have all pushed each other into I need to serve better, be more aggressive and do a lot of things better if I am to beat them at their best.

“I am excited for the challenge to play them again.

“I have had a couple of really close sets with her where I felt I should have at least taken a set, in Australia and Indian Wells, but she has been playing amazing tennis.

“She had a match point in Indian Wells before Aryna came back and they had an incredible match.

“For me they are the top two in as far as when they are playing well they are the best two players in the world.

“But I love the challenge, that is why I play and it always excites me.”

How Jessica Pegula has fared against Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina

The WTA rankings certainly back up Pegula’s thoughts, with world number one Sabalenka followed immediately by Rybakina.

But the American world number five is well aware that she needs to beat the best to be the best, and she now has a great chance to prove herself against the Kazakhstani star.

History is, however, against Pegula regarding their head-to-head record, which currently stands at 5-3 in favour of Rybakina.

That includes two wins for Rybakina this year alone, which arrived in the semi-finals of the Australian Open and the quarter-finals of Indian Wells.

Pegula’s record against Sabalenka is even more daunting. The Belarusian holds a commanding 9-3 lead in their head-to-head matchups.

Sabalenka also defeated Pegula in last year’s Miami Open final, winning 7-5, 6-2.

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