This Saturday, the Miami Open will witness a high-stakes final as world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka takes on No. 4 Jessica Pegula. This is the fourth WTA 1000 tournament of the 2025 season.
Notably, this is the first Miami Open final featuring two Top 5 players since 2014. The winner will also be the first Top 10 player to secure a WTA 1000 or higher title this season.
After recent final losses, Sabalenka aims for her first WTA 1000 title of the year. Pegula seeks to avenge her previous defeats to Sabalenka, setting the stage for an exciting showdown.
Key Details of the Final
When to Watch
The women`s singles final is scheduled for Saturday, March 29, starting at 3 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Points and Prize Money
Both finalists have already earned 650 WTA ranking points and $597,890 in prize money by reaching this stage. The champion will be awarded 1,000 points and $1,124,380.
Sabalenka will remain world No. 1 regardless of the outcome. However, Pegula could climb to No. 3 if she wins the final.
Paths to the Final
Sabalenka is the sixth player in this century to reach the finals of both Indian Wells and Miami consecutively. She has displayed dominant form in Miami, not dropping a set so far. Her victories include wins over Viktoriya Tomova, Elena-Gabriela Ruse, Danielle Collins, Zheng Qinwen, and Jasmine Paolini.
Pegula, in contrast, had a tougher journey, with three of her five matches going to three sets. 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 this tournament, indicating potential fatigue but also resilience.
Head-to-Head Record
Sabalenka vs. Pegula: 6-2
Sabalenka dominates their head-to-head series 6-2, including a 4-2 record on hard courts and 2-0 in finals. Their rivalry includes matches on clay and hard courts, with Sabalenka winning their last two encounters in the Cincinnati final and the US Open final in 2024.
What`s at Stake
Sabalenka is aiming for her second title of the season and 19th overall. Pegula is seeking her second title of the year and eighth overall. Pegula is also aiming to become the oldest player to defeat a world No. 1 in a final since 1993 if she beats Sabalenka.
Sabalenka could achieve her second instance of securing three Top 10 wins in a single tournament.
Player Perspectives
Pegula: Acknowledges Sabalenka`s strong form and expresses determination to perform better this time. She is proud to compete at the highest level.
Sabalenka: Highlights their history of tough matches and anticipates another battle. She points to mental toughness as a key factor in their encounters.
Pegula: Feels her serve is improving and emphasizes the importance of serving well against Sabalenka. She believes in her return game and chances to break Sabalenka`s serve.
Sabalenka: Refrains from claiming superiority but suggests mental fortitude might be a differentiating factor in their matches, stressing the need to maintain mental strength.
Jasper Hawthorne 
Dominic Ashworth