Fans are in for a treat as Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula prepare to clash in the Miami Open final, reigniting a rivalry that captivated audiences last at the 2024 US Open. This marks their ninth encounter, with Sabalenka leading their head-to-head 6-2. Both players are chasing their first Miami Open title, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Pegula is in good form right now, but Sabalenka is bringing a specific energy to the court. What’s she got up her sleeve?

On Thursday, Sabalenka battled past Jasmine Paolini in straight sets to secure her first Miami Open final with a 6-2, 6-2 win. However, it wasn’t just her performance that stole the show—it was her adorable goddaughter who joined her for a post-match interview.

The little girl charmed everyone with her playful antics, including making funny faces at the camera. When asked about Sabalenka’s performance, the young star simply nodded, prompting Sabalenka to laugh and say, “She said yes. If she said yes, then yeah, I played well.” Later, Aryna shared her goddaughter’s carefree energy on Instagram with a playful caption: “Bringing this energy into tomorrow’s match😂♥.” Could this mean trouble for the American?

Their rivalry has seen high-stakes battles, including the 2024 US Open final, where Sabalenka triumphed 7-5, 7-5 for her maiden Grand Slam title. Pegula’s two wins came at the 2020 Cincinnati Open and the 2023 WTA Finals group stage. While Sabalenka dominates on hard courts with her aggressive style, Pegula’s resilience makes every match unpredictable. What can we expect from their match tomorrow?

Aryna Sabalenka seems to have found her rhythm much earlier this year compared to 2024. After a shaky Middle Eastern swing, she’s back in dominant form, boasting an impressive 22-4 record for the season. Her Miami run has been nothing short of spectacular—she hasn’t let any opponent take more than five games per set, reminding fans why she’s such a force on the court.

Meanwhile, Jessica Pegula has quietly built her own momentum after a rough start to the year. Since her early AO exit and a forgettable Middle Eastern stretch, Pegula has gone on an incredible 12-1 streak, starting with her title win in Austin. Her Miami campaign hasn’t been as smooth as Sabalenka’s—she had to battle through tough three-setters against Anna Kalinskaya, Emma Raducanu, and ended teenage wildcard, Alexandra Eala’s dream run with a hard-fought 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-3 victory. She’s shown remarkable consistency at this event, making the quarterfinals or better for four years straight.

As they gear up for this blockbuster final, Sabalenka seems confident and energized. Despite some hiccups following the Australian Open, she’s keeping her head high and hoping for the best!

Aryna looks back on her journey to the Miami Open finals

Fresh off her victory over Paolini, the Belarusian opened up in the post-match press conference about the challenges of maintaining peak performance. Reflecting on her journey, she admitted, “It’s tough to bring your best every time. But I’ve adjusted well to challenges and fought hard, which shows I’m on a high level right now.” This season has indeed been a testament to her resilience and consistency, even with a few setbacks in February. Sabalenka started the year with a bang, clinching the Brisbane International title and finishing as the runner-up at the Australian Open.

Speaking about her season so far, she shared, “Outside of February, it’s been an incredible season. Even tough finals teach lessons, and I’m happy to keep giving myself opportunities to learn and win.” Her journey to the Miami Open final has been nothing short of remarkable. By achieving this feat, Sabalenka joins an elite group of players who have reached both the Indian Wells and Miami finals in the same season—an exclusive club that includes icons like Kim Clijsters (2005), Maria Sharapova (2006, 2012, 2013), Victoria Azarenka (2016), Iga Swiatek (2022), and Elena Rybakina (2023).

Though she lost the Indian Wells final to Mirra Andreeva, Sabalenka’s dominant run in Miami has been nothing short of spectacular. Now, she is eyeing her maiden Miami Open trophy. Will channeling her goddaughter’s carefree and cheeky energy on the court bring her luck to secure her seventh victory against Pegula? We’d love to hear what you think!