Jessica Pegula produced a dominant display to dispatch Leylah Fernandez in straight sets at the Miami Open.
The American dropped just four games against Fernandez to set up a fourth round clash with Jaqueline Cristian.
Pegula’s impressive serving ability has helped her breeze through the Miami Open and she will likely play Elena Rybakina if she beats Cristian.
As her good form continues in Miami, Pegula has noticed a change at the tournament that has aided her game.
Jessica Pegula says Miami Open conditions suit her game
Pegula is yet to drop a set at the Miami Open and she was in complete control as she defeated Fernandez.
Speaking on-court, Pegula said: “I thought I played really good. I executed everything that I wanted to do out there and just stayed super focused.
“We all know Leylah competes so well and can turn matches very quickly. I didn’t really want to get into that with her today.
How do you rate Jessica Pegula’s chances of ever winning a Grand Slam?
“I’m really happy with how I served at the end. I think I’m playing some of the best tennis I’ve played. Forehand, backhand, serve, moving really well.
“I just think I’ve become a much better player. And I think you have to be in order to compete at a high level with the depth in the women’s game.”
Pegula pinpointed the major court speed difference between Miami and Indian Wells, the latter of which she dropped out at the quarter-final stage.
“I like the fast courts. The speed stays low and kind of skids a bit, and I think that feeds into my game style. Indian Wells was much quicker this year.
“When I played on Stadium Two and some of the outside courts, I thought it was much faster and I was appreciative of that. The balls were blowing up and everything got super slow. It definitely needed to speed up.”
Pegula has the opportunity to reach as high as world number four if she manages to win the Miami Open.
Jessica Pegula’s impressive start to the 2026 season
Pegula holds an 18-3 record so far in 2026, which has already helped bring her a WTA 1000 title at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
The American has only been beaten by two players on the WTA Tour, with Rybakina defeating Pegula on two occasions.
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Rybakina knocked Pegula out of the Australian Open and Indian Wells, with the only other player managing to defeat the American being Marta Kostyuk.
Kostyuk knocked Pegula out of the Brisbane International semi-finals at the beginning of the year, but since then the American has been perfect against players ranked outside the top five.
