{"id":1832860,"date":"2026-03-18T14:15:24","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T11:15:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1832860"},"modified":"2026-03-18T14:15:24","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T11:15:24","slug":"jessica-pegula-reveals-plan-to-keep-pushing-aryna-sabalenka-and-elena-rybakina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1832860","title":{"rendered":"Jessica Pegula reveals plan to keep &#8216;pushing&#8217; Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"ps-article-content rounded-lg lg:mt-5 lg:border lg:border-card lg:bg-card lg:shadow-primary\">\n<header>\n<h1 class=\"py-4 text-xl font-normal text-title sm:text-2xl\">Jessica Pegula reveals plan to keep \u2018pushing\u2019 Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina<\/h1>\n<div class=\"my-2 flex items-center justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flex items-center\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/author\/oli-dickson-jefford\" class=\"text-sm font-normal !text-author\"><br \/>\n                            Oli Dickson Jefford                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <time class=\"ml-3 text-sm font-normal text-info md:ml-4\" datetime=\"18 Mar 2026 2:15 PM\" data-ps-date=\"18 Mar 2026 2:15 PM\" data-ps-datetime=\"1773843324\"><br \/>\n                            18 Mar 2026 2:15 PM                        <\/time>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"hidden justify-end space-x-4 text-xl sm:flex sm:!opacity-100\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                            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<\/div>\n<div class=\"sm:hidden flex items-center space-x-5\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 dark:hidden h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_light.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <button id=\"t365-article-share-btn-hidden\" class=\"mr-2 hidden h-6 w-6 appearance-none border-none !text-share-icon outline-none hover:!text-share-icon-active sm:hidden\" data-title=\"Jessica Pegula reveals plan to keep \u2018pushing\u2019 Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/button>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5 border-b border-page\"><\/div>\n<section>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5\">\n<figure class=\"aspect-h-9 aspect-w-16 relative\">\n                                        <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1320\" height=\"742\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"w-full h-full object-cover object-center !my-0\" src=\"https:\/\/d2me2qg8dfiw8u.cloudfront.net\/content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rybakina-Sabalenka-Pegula-1320x742.jpg\" alt=\"Pictured: Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, and Jessica Pegula.\">                <\/figure><figcaption class=\"flex items-center space-x-3 border-b border-mobile-caption px-3 lg:border-caption\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-1.5 break-words !text-xs !text-content\">\n                                WTA Tour stars  Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, and Jessica Pegula.                            <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"ciam-article-t365\">\n<p>Jessica Pegula has opened up about the challenge of facing both Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, and how she plans to keep \u201cpushing\u201d both the world No 1 and world No 2.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/aryna-sabalenka\">Sabalenka<\/a> has reigned at the top of the WTA Rankings since October 2024, having previously been No 1 for a short spell in 2023, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/wta-tour\/wta-rankings-sabalenka-lead-rybakina-new-no-2-swiatek-drops-raducanu-top-25-eala-top-30\">while Rybakina reached a career-high of world No 2 in the WTA Rankings this week<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Kazakh ace <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/elena-rybakina\">Rybakina<\/a> has been in fine form in recent months, winning the Australian Open and WTA Finals \u2014 beating Sabalenka in both finals.<\/p>\n<h2>Tennis News<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/aryna-sabalenka-ridiculous-message-novak-djokovic-20-players-withdraw-miami-open-roundup\">Sabalenka\u2019s \u2018ridiculous\u2019 message, 20 players withdraw, Djokovic warned, Alcaraz to skip events? Miami Open roundup<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/aryna-sabalenka-sends-dubai-boycott-warning-ridiculous-comment-tournament-chief\">Aryna Sabalenka sends Dubai boycott warning \u2013 \u2018I\u2019m not sure if I ever want to go there\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n<p>However, the Belarusian turned the tables on Rybakina in Indian Wells last week, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/aryna-sabalenka-elena-rybakina-prize-money-ranking-points-indian-wells-open\">saving a championship point in a thrilling final to lift the title at the WTA 1000 event for the first time<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Outside of Sabalenka and Rybakina, world No 5 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/jessica-pegula\">Pegula<\/a> has been another of the form players on the WTA Tour in recent months, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/jessica-pegula-updated-ranking-points-prize-money-dubai-tennis-championships\">most notably winning the Dubai Tennis Championships in February<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The American has repeatedly faced both Sabalenka and Rybakina in recent months, though has often fallen on the wrong side of the result.<\/p>\n<p>Rybakina defeated Pegula in the semi-final of the WTA Finals last November, and then also beat the 32-year-old in the Australian Open semi-final in January, and the Indian Wells quarter-final last week.<\/p>\n<p>Sabalenka also beat Pegula during the round-robin phase of the WTA Finals last season, and memorably beat the American in the 2024 US Open final, the 2025 US Open semi-final, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/news\/aryna-sabalenka-prize-money-revealed-miami-open\">and the final of the Miami Open twelve months ago<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking ahead of her Miami Open campaign this year, world No 5 Pegula revealed how she was trying to adapt her game to face the two best players on tour.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think a lot of the matches I\u2019ve lost, you know, big matches, have been more or less to them or to Coco [Gauff],\u201d said Pegula.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve done really well as far as improving my game and kind of knowing what I need to do.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think I\u2019ve been playing a little bit more aggressive. I think I\u2019ve been serving a lot better. Always kind of working on my movement and figuring out different strategies and plays that I think will work well against them.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut they\u2019re playing some amazing, amazing tennis, and I think rightfully right now they are the two best players in the world, just by their results and the matches that they\u2019ve had flipping back and forth at big tournaments and finals.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Despite recent struggles against the two, Pegula has had significant wins against both women in the past.<\/p>\n<p>The American has won three of her eight encounters against Rybakina, having beaten the Kazakh at the 2023 WTA Finals, and WTA 1000 events in Miami and Guadalajara in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>While she is 9-3 down in her head-to-head against Sabalenka, she has pushed the world No 1 to three sets on multiple occasions, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/wta-tour\/jessica-pegula-says-she-has-figured-out-aryna-sabalenka-after-mounting-epic-comeback-victory\">and ended the Belarusian\u2019s reign at the Wuhan Open in a thrilling three-set semi-final last October<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Despite recent losses to both women, Pegula has a strong belief that she can continue to be among their toughest opponents.<\/p>\n<p>She added: \u201cI\u2019ve beaten them before, so it\u2019s not like I feel like it\u2019s impossible, but I do feel like they\u2019re playing some really good tennis and they\u2019re the people to beat.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJust being able to believe in that type of stuff when I\u2019m playing them in big moments and big points is kind of the difference. But I\u2019ve been right there and super close.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s hard. They\u2019re tall, big girls with big serves, and sometimes it\u2019s a little frustrating for someone that\u2019s not as tall. But I still think there\u2019s a lot of stuff that I can do really well and keep improving to keep pushing them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Pegula could well face one or both of Sabalenka and Rybakina at the Miami Open this coming fortnight, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/wta-miami-open-draw-sabalenka-rybakina-on-same-half-swiatek-could-face-eala\">with all three women in the top half of the singles draw<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Much like in Indian Wells, Pegula and Rybakina are in the same quarter of the draw, with the fifth seed and third seed projected to meet in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n<p>Whoever progresses from that second quarter will face the semi-finalist that emerges from the top quarter of the draw, with top seed and defending champion Sabalenka the heavy favourite to progress.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Want more from Tennis365? Add us as <a rel=\"noopener nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\">a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for tennis coverage you can trust.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Read Next<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/wta-miami-open-predictions-sabalenka-rybakina-rivalry-continues-swiatek-faces-more-disappointment\">WTA Miami Open Predictions: Sabalenka &amp; Rybakina rivalry continues, Swiatek faces more disappointment<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"kwizly-quiz kwizly-XbjZnX\" data-nosnippet=\"\" data-quiz-type=\"poll|mpu\"><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jessica Pegula reveals plan to keep \u2018pushing\u2019 Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina Oli Dickson Jefford 18 Mar 2026 2:15 PM WTA Tour stars Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, and Jessica Pegula. Jessica Pegula has opened up about the challenge of facing both Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, and how she plans to keep \u201cpushing\u201d both the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,249],"class_list":["post-1832860","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-tennis365-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1832860","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1832860"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1832860\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1832860"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1832860"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1832860"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}