Sabalenka favourite as Pegula rivalry continues in Miami final

Tennis bookmakers have Aryna Sabalenka as a heavy favourite to defeat Jessica Pegula when the pair meet in the women’s Miami Open final in Florida on Saturday.

BetOnline prices the Belarusian at just $1.30 to win, given she has won their two previous meetings in North American hardcourt finals over the past seven months.

But Pegula – who knocked out teen sensation Alexandra Eala in three sets to make the final of the WTA 1000 event – says she has a feeling this is her year.

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“You know, sometimes at tournaments you have that feeling,” she said ahead of her third Miami final in the last four years.

“I have always felt like I could win this tournament.

“I have always had really good results, always gone deep.

“I’m happy I’m able to give myself a chance on Saturday.

“Hopefully I can get the better of her here.

“I’m also really proud that I can put myself up there with one of the best hard-court players in the world.

“Making another final of a 1000 is huge.

“Just super excited to where I put myself at the beginning of the year.”

Sabalenka leads Pegula 6-2 overall in their head-to-head, with their most recent meeting being a tight 7-5, 7-5 victory for the world No.1 in the US Open final last year.

She remembers that match fondly, and is looking forward to another high-quality clash with the American on Saturday.

“We had a lot of tough matches against each other,” she said.

“It’s always great battles.

“Cincinnati was a great level for me probably but maybe not really from her.

“And then [the US Open] final was just like crazy match again.

“Yeah, she fought really hard in that second set, and that was tough match.

“I’m always exciting facing her.

“I’m super excited about another final. That’s crazy.”

Top online bookmakers expect that the Miami Open final will be another straight-set win for Sabalenka, with PlayUp returning $1.83 for a 2-0 scoreline in her favour.

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