Jessica Pegula praised Emma Raducanu's level ahead of their Miami meeting but also warned the Briton that she will be out there looking for "revenge."
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When the fourth-seeded American and the world No. 60 clash against each other today, it will be their first meeting since last summer's WTA tournament in Eastbourne. Back then, the 22-year-old Briton won a three-set thriller 4-6 7-6 (6) 7-5 to clinch what was her first top-10 win at the time.
However, Pegula has had one win against Raducanu, beating the 2021 US Open champion 7-5 6-4 in Cincinnati three years ago. Considering that the British tennis star is having her run of the year in Miami and that she has been through to her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal, the home favorite expects another tough job.
Pegula: Raducanu has played some good tennis but hopefully I can get revenge
We had a crazy match last year in Eastbourne. I think we are 1-1 against each other. She is obviously much more confident right now," the world No. 4 said ahead of her Miami quarterfinal match.
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Probably likes the fast courts as well. Playing some good tennis. We all know she is a top player. Its just getting matches under her belt so that she has the matches and its going to be really tough. Hopefully I can get some revenge for Eastbourne and get to the next round!
Before beating Marta Kostyuk in the Miami round-of-16, Pegula pulled out of her doubles match with Ashlyn Krueger. However, in the same presser, she confirmed that she was feeling fine physically.
If the 30-year-old beats Raducanu, she will make her third Miami semifinal - she reached back-to-back semis in 2022 and 2023.
If both Pegula and Raducanu deliver their best tennis, fans could be in for a treat and the match could be decided by small margins.
