Elena Rybakina vs. Jessica Pegula: Where to Watch, Preview and Prediction

Preview and Prediction

Pegula got here to Indian Wells because the WTA’s in-form participant of the second, and that hasn’t modified. With her title in Dubai final month, and her three victories right here, she’s on an eight match win streak. The final participant to beat her? That could be Elena Rybakina.

In reality, Rybakina has crushed Pegula in three essential matches since October—the primary within the Billie Jean King Cup, the second on the WTA Finals, and the third within the semifinals on the Australian Open. The first of these wasn’t aggressive, however the final two had been. Pegula was shut to pushing their AO semi to a 3rd set, however Rybakina edged her 9-7 in a tiebreaker. It had to be a heartbreaker for the American.

That match was related to a number of the powerful losses that Pegula has taken to Aryna Sabalenka in recent times. Sabalenka and Rybakina are each energy gamers who get within the first punch, earlier than Pegula adjusts to the tempo, finds her timing, and makes a run within the second set. If that sample performs out once more on Thursday, Pegula needs to be used to it: She dropped the primary set to Donna Vekic and Jelena Ostapenko this week, earlier than bouncing again to win in three.

All of which makes this a tricky decide. Rybakina simply received the WTA Finals and the Australian Open, and beat Pegula at every occasion. But Pegula has the eight-match win streak, and appears nonetheless to be discovering new issues about her sport at age 32. Pegula could also be due for a win like this, however the secure selection is to take the puncher over the counter-puncher, as a result of the match shall be on her racquet. Winner: Rybakina