Jessica Pegula is on the brink of rewriting American tennis history after a gritty Miami Open semifinal triumph over teen phenom Alex Eala. The 31-year-old, long overshadowed by compatriot Coco Gauff, battled through a grueling three-setter (7-6[3], 5-7, 6-3) to secure her first-ever Miami final—a milestone that could also catapult her past Gauff as the new US No. 1.
While a title clash against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka looms, Pegula’s deeper mission is clear: toppling Gauff’s reign in a rankings coup that would mark a seismic shift in the WTA’s American hierarchy.
Jessica Pegula’s path to dethroning Coco Gauff
Pegula’s Miami surge isn’t just about silverware—it’s a calculated climb up the rankings ladder. Entering the tournament, Gauff held a 702-point lead as the US No. 3. But Pegula’s run to the final has slashed that gap dramatically. By avenging last year’s quarterfinal exit, she’s added 435 points to her tally, inching her total to 5,796.
Gauff, meanwhile, stalled in the fourth round for the second straight year, freezing her points at 6,063. A win over Sabalenka would propel Jessica Pegula to 6,146 points—enough to eclipse Coco Gauff and reclaim her career-high No. 3 global ranking.
The Aryna Sabalenka Hurdle
Standing in Pegula’s way is a familiar nemesis: Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarusian powerhouse boasts a dominant 6-2 head-to-head record, including straight-set wins in last year’s Cincinnati and US Open finals. Sabalenka’s relentless power and 2025 form—she leads the tour in match wins—make her a daunting opponent. Yet Pegula’s revamped aggression, showcased in her semifinal grit, suggests she’s ready to flip the script.
Fleeting glory?
Even if Jessica Pegula triumphs, her US No. 1 status could be short-lived. With just 83 points separating her and Coco Gauff post-Miami, the Charleston Open looms as a critical battleground. Pegula must defend 195 semifinal points there, while Gauff—with fewer points to lose—could swiftly reclaim her throne.
This delicate balance underscores the cutthroat nature of WTA rankings, where every serve and volley carries career-altering weight.