Can Jessica Pegula flip the script against Elena Rybakina? Miami Preview and Picks

Before each day's play at the Miami Open, we'll preview and predict three must-see matches—stream them all on the Tennis Channel app.

Jessica Pegula vs. Elena Rybakina

These days, if it’s an important event, Rybakina and Pegula will face off during it at some point. Billie Jean King Cup, the WTA Finals, the Australian Open, Indian Wells, and now Miami have all featured a clash between the world’s No. 2 and 5.

Unfortunately for No. 5, No. 2 is 4-0 in those matches. Pegula has competed hard, hung in, won a set, and pushed two others to tiebreakers. But Rybakina, with her superior serve and her mix of pace and angle from the ground, hasn’t cracked under the American’s counter-attack.

Looking at their form in Miami so far, you can easily imagine a similar result. Neither Rybakina nor Pegula has dropped a set in three matches, and both are fully comfortable on these courts. Rybakina made the final on them in 2023 and 2024; Pegula did the same in 2025.

Still, there’s one variable that Pegula will likely be pleased with: the starting time. The American likes quick conditions, but she hasn’t had them in her matches against Rybakina recently. In Melbourne, they played at night, when everything slows down; and in Indian Wells, the courts are never fast. But Miami’s surface is quicker, and the match is scheduled to start at 1:00 P.M., when the temperature should be in the high 70s.

That may help Pegula, one of the sport’s great counter-punchers, add a few M.P.H.s to her shots. She’s been playing too well not to get a win over Rybakina at some point, right? If so, I’d say we’ve reached that point. Winner: Pegula

Jiri Lehecka vs. Martin Landaluce

Miami has been a showcase for the ATP’s Next Next Gen. Moise Kouame, 17; Rei Sakamoto, 19; and Joao Fonseca, 19 all made noise over the past week. But the last one standing is the 20-year-old Landaluce of Spain.

A product of the Rafa Nadal Academy, he won the US Open boys title in 2022, and seems to have all the tools. He’s 6’4, has a good serve and maybe a better return, can trade forehands and two-handed backhands at a high level, and looks preternaturally calm and collected. Counting qualifiers, Landaluce has already won six matches in Miami, three of them in three sets. Against Sebastian Korda on Tuesday, he turned a 6-2 first-set loss around, and saved a match point.

Now the 151st-ranked Spaniard will try to keep his glass slipper in place as he takes on the 24-year-old, 22nd-ranked Lehecka for the first time. These guys play with a similar efficiency and easy power, and it’s tough to choose between them.

On the one hand, Landaluce must feel bulletproof right now, and Lehecka is a guy who could get rattled against a newbie opponent. On the other hand, Landaluce may be low on fuel, and Lehecka just played his best match of the season to beat Taylor Fritz.

I’ll take the younger pro to keep impressing, and the older one to keep winning. Winner: Lehecka

Tommy Paul vs. Arthur Fils

Speaking of tough calls, Paul vs. Fils qualifies as another. They’re ranked just eight spots apart; the American is 23rd, the Frenchman 31st. They’re both top-tier athletes, with speed and ball-striking flair to burn. They’ve mostly been in good form this season; Paul is 14-6, while Fils is 12-4 in his comeback from a long injury layoff. In Miami, they’ve both survived at least one three-set challenge.

There are reasons to like Paul. He’ll be in front of a home crowd at night, and he has the more free-flowing all-court game. Fils, whatever his level, is still in rebuilding mode.

But I’ll still take Fils. He’s done well in Miami before, he brings more of a competitive edge to his matches than Paul, his forehand should be the best shot on the court, and he really seems to want to make up for lost time right now. Winner: Fils