By Tony Fairbairn
- Aryna Sabalenka [1] v Jasmine Paolini [6]
- Jessica Pegula [4] v Alexandra Eala [WC]
MIAMI, USA – Aryna Sabalenka is aiming to capitalize on a big opportunity when she takes on Jasmine Paolini in the Miami semi-finals.
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Aryna Sabalenka [1] v Jasmine Paolini [6] | H2H: Sabalenka leads 3-2
World number one Aryna Sabalenka has hit form at the right time as she is into a second consecutive WTA 1000 final. Another dominant win over Qinwen Zheng sees Sabalenka into the final four and now with some of her nearest rivals out of the tournament, the top seed looks to capitalize and win a big tournament ahead of the clay court season. Standing in Sabalenka’s way is Jasmime Paolini after the Italian defeated Magda Linette to reach the semi-finals and continue her revival in Miami.
H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Aryna Sabalenka [1] v Jasmine Paolini | H2H: Sabalenka leads 3-2 |
| Miami Open 2025 | Miami, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $332,160 |
| Second on Stadium (Not before 19:00 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
After turbulent swing in the Middle East, Sabalenka has found her form at the right time as she bids for a second consecutive WTA 1000 final.
The world number one aims to continue to establish her position at the top of the rankings in her quest for confidence ahead of the clay court season.
Next for Sabalenka is Paolini who has revived her form and consistency after a disappointing season so far.
Now Paolini will hit freely as she aims to reach the final in Miami and continue her standout performances in big tournaments over the last 12 months.
Speaking after her quarter-final win Sabalenka admitted she was happy with the way she handled her emotions as she looks for more American success.
“I’m very proud of that,” Sabalenka told the WTA website.
“I’m happy with the way I handled my emotions and even though my serve didn’t work I was still in there fighting for every point.”
Meanwhile Paolini reflected on her season so far and hopes that she can pick up some confidence from her run in Miami.
“I think I didn’t play bad this season, but I didn’t have a great result,” Paolini explained to the WTA website.
“But I was there. I lost many matches, but to big opponents. [It] was tough, but at the same time I was repeating to myself that, you know, I’m there. Maybe I need just a little bit more of confidence. It came here, maybe.”
Sabalenka will aim to be dominant on serve and will need to be consistent in her attack given Paolini’s stubborn defence.
Meanwhile Paolini will use the forehand to turn defence into attack while finishing off points at the net.
This should be a high quality match with both players returning to their confident form from last season.
Although Paolini will test Sabalenka, the world number one should have too much consistent quality for the Italian.
Prediction: Sabalenka in three sets.
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Jessica Pegula [4] v Alexandra Eala [WC] | H2H: First Meeting
After surviving a scare against Anna Kalinskaya earlier in the tournament, Jessica Pegula has once again thrived in the Miami heat. Another WTA 1000 semi-final is in the bag for the US Open finalist and now Pegula aims to convert form into titles as she has a big opportunity to reach her first final in Florida. Next up is the story of the tournament in the form of Alexandra Eala after the Wildcard has knocked out Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek in order to reach her first WTA 1000 semi-final.
H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jessica Pegula [4] v Alexandra Eala [WC] | H2H: First Meeting |
| Miami Open 2025 | Miami, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $332,160 |
| Fifth on Stadium (Not before 00:30 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
A revived Pegula has picked up her form in Miami as her win over Emma Raducanu means she is into a third Miami Open semi-final.
The American is no amateur when it comes to the big occasions and now looks to break her semi-final duck in Miami and reach the final.
Standing in Pegula’s way is wildcard Eala who has beaten three Grand Slam champions on her way to the last four.
It has been one of the most crazier recent runs to a semi-final of a big run and now Eala aims to continue her life-changing week.
After her win Pegula spoke about the tough moments against Raducanu and admits she is desperate to reach the final in Miami.
“It was tough. I played a good first set, a little let down in the second, got it back, went up 2-0 in the tiebreak, but the it kind of flipped,” Pegula told the WTA website.
“She started moving the ball really well, serving good … sometimes it just happens, but I just wanted to come out in the third really strong, really quick, and just kind of jump on her and not keep the third set too close.
“I love playing here, I love playing at home, I love getting wins in the Dolphins stadium … I always play really well here … and I’m hoping the third time’s the charm.
“I want to make it to that final so bad, and I’ll give it another shot tomorrow night.”
Meanwhile Eala admitted she is in disbelief after knocking out Swiatek to reach her first WTA 1000 semi-final.
“I’m in complete disbelief right now, I’m on cloud nine,” Eala admitted to the WTA website.
“It’s so surreal. I feel like I’m the exact same person as I was in that photo. But of course, circumstances have changed! I’m so happy and so blessed to be able to compete with such a player on this stage … My coach told me to run, to go for every ball, to take all the opportunities I can, because a five-time Slam champion is not going to give you the win.”
Pegula will look to dictate on the forehand side as she will use the drop shot to test Eala’s conditioning.
Meanwhile Eala will be fearless and aggressive as she aims to exploit Pegula’s lack of weapons from the baseline.
Eala will play fearless tennis and come out in red-hot form but Pegula should be too consistent and stable in order to end the Filipina’s magical run.
Prediction: Pegula in three sets.
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