Exciting Matchup at the Miami Invitational
In an exciting matchup at the Miami Invitational on Monday, Amanda Anisimova achieved her first career victory over compatriot Jessica Pegula, triumphing in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 7-5. This encounter took place just a day after their previous exhibition match in New Jersey, where Pegula had narrowly claimed victory.
Head-to-Head History
Before this win, Anisimova struggled against Pegula, losing their last four encounters, including notable matches at the Cincinnati Open and in the 2024 season in Charleston and Toronto. In their recent New Jersey meeting, Pegula outperformed Anisimova in a tightly contested match, but the tide turned in Miami, where Anisimova credited the supportive local fans for her success.
“Yeah, I feel like it’s taken me 10 years, so it’s really nice to be standing here today,” she laughed during a press statement. “Jess is an incredible player, and it’s always such a tough match playing against her, even at the exhibitions. We had another great match today, so it’s always a lot of fun. I love playing here in Miami and I’m just really excited to be here. It’s super special to play here at home.”
Season Highlights
Beyond their head-to-head stats, both players have had remarkable seasons. Anisimova concluded the year as the World No. 4, surpassing Pegula, who ended at No. 6. The Boca Raton native clinched two WTA 1000 titles this season at the Qatar Open and China Open and made significant runs to the finals in both the Wimbledon and US Open tournaments. Despite facing challenges earlier in the season when she dropped out of the top 40, Anisimova’s impressive comeback brought her to the prestigious fourth rank.
In contrast, Pegula achieved victory in three tournament finals while also finishing as a runner-up in three others, maintaining a steady presence within the top 10 players throughout the year. She began the season as World No. 7 and temporarily reached No. 3 mid-year, but slipped to sixth by the season’s end.
Conclusion
For Anisimova, this marks her first finish in the WTA’s top 10, while Pegula celebrates her fourth consecutive year-end top ten finish, showcasing the remarkable talents present in American women’s tennis.
