Aryna Sabalenka does not rely on touch very much. She knows that against nearly every player on the WTA tour, she can overpower them. She relies so much on her bombastic forehand and backhand that she seems unable to adjust sometimes when she needs to. That is mostly because her way is the best way.
Jessica Pegula is a master of no real shots, but she doesn't have any real weaknesses either. She stays in top shape and is a good enough returner to keep herself in matches she might not otherwise be in. In the final of the 2025 Miami Open against Sabalenka, though, it was her serve that failed her most.
In the first set, Pegula got an early break of Sabalenka to lead 3-2, but then she was broken in her next service game. This would start a trend that lasted through most of the match. Just when Pegula had a glimmer of hope, she could not hold serve. She was broken seven times in the match.
Aryna Sabalenka defeats Jessica Pegula to win the 2025 Miami Open
She even appeared to lack confidence in landing a good first serve, and she often relied on spin while slowing her serve down in order to try to get the ball in.
This only allowed Sabalenka to tee off more once the Belarusian understood what the American was trying to do. The issue for Pegula is that she does not have any weapon she can rely on to fight back. She had to deal with the shock and awe of Sabalenka playing in good form.
But far from great. Sabalenka was broken four times herself. Against a player who could come close to matching her power, she might have had a problem. Luckily for her, Pegula could not do that. After Pegula got a break of Sabalenka to start the second set, the American could not capitalize and dropped the next four games.
The WTA No. 1 needed to hold serve to take her second title of 2025, and her first since the first week in January. She had lost the final of the Australian Open and the 1000 event in Indian Wells. She did not need to do that, however, as she got another break of Pegula to finish off the match 7-5 6-2. She did not drop a set during her run at the Miami Open.