Pegula, Raducanu's Conqueror, Last Semifinalist at WTA 1000 Miami
The final women's quarterfinal at the Miami Open delivered its verdict. Earlier in the day, Alexandra Eala continued her incredible run in Florida, defeating world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in straight sets in one of the biggest upsets of the WTA season so far.
In the evening, the match between Jessica Pegula and Emma Raducanu determined who would face the Philippine player for a spot in the final. The American, world No. 4 and the logical favorite, had lost only one of her last eleven matches—a defeat to Elina Svitolina in the Indian Wells round of 16.
On the other side, the Brit was regaining confidence after victories over Ishii, Navarro, Kessler, and Anisimova. She continued her tour against American players with a clash against Pegula, who had won the Austin title just before the Sunshine Double.
The match was a real battle. Pegula broke midway through the first set and, solid on serve early on (facing no break points in the opener), she closed it out to take the lead.
In the second set, Raducanu converted one of her five break points to gain an advantage and serve for the set. But Pegula broke back at the perfect moment before the two ultimately went to a tiebreak. Raducanu dominated it, leveling the match at one set apiece.
However, Pegula, determined to capitalize on Swiatek’s elimination, made the stronger start in the decider. Quickly racing to a 3-0 lead, she never looked back, sealing the win (6-4, 6-7, 6-2 in 2h25) to reach her 10th career WTA 1000 semifinal.
Firing 48 winners (to Raducanu’s 30), she will now face breakout star Alexandra Eala in Thursday’s night session, aiming for her first Miami final. The other semifinal, earlier in the day, will feature Aryna Sabalenka against Jasmine Paolini.
