Leylah Fernandez is set to face Jessica Pegula in a third-round match at the Miami Open, after both players navigated their second-round encounters with contrasting results.
Pegula Advances After Jones Retirement
Jessica Pegula, the No. 5 seed and last year’s runner-up, progressed after Francesca Jones retired from their match. Jones, who had been suffering from illness, was trailing 6-1, 3-0 when she made the decision to stop playing. Pegula had breezed through the first set, and Jones had taken a medical time-out during the match. Despite a brief resurgence, Jones ultimately could not continue.
Fernandez Battles Past Selekhmeteva
Leylah Fernandez, the No. 26 seed, fought hard to overcome Oksana Selekhmeteva in a match that lasted 2 hours and 25 minutes. Fernandez won 7-6(1), 3-6, 6-1. Selekhmeteva proved a difficult opponent, utilising her double-handed backhand slice and left-handed forehand to put Fernandez under pressure. Fernandez showed flashes of brilliance, including a diving volley to gain control in the first-set tiebreak.
Fernandez demonstrated resilience in the first-set tiebreak after missing an initial set point at 5-4. She saved all five break points she faced in the decider, including four in a lengthy game to hold for 3-0. Fernandez then converted both of her opportunities on the Selekhmeteva serve.
Pegula and Fernandez Set for Fourth Meeting
The upcoming match will be the fourth meeting between Pegula and Fernandez. Their second-round match in Miami in 2024 was their first encounter, with Pegula winning in straight sets 7-5, 6-4. Their rivalry has since produced closely contested matches. In the 2024 Cincinnati quarterfinals, Pegula needed 3 hours and 4 minutes to win 7-5, 6-7(1), 7-6(3), converting her fifth match point after losing a 4-0 second-set lead.
Fernandez came into Miami looking for some form. Before this week, her 2026 record was a sparse 2-7, and she has not won back-to-back matches since reaching the Hong Kong semifinals last October.
Selekhmeteva had cracked the Top 100 last October and has pushed on this year, reaching the third round of the Australian Open and the Austin quarterfinals to rise to a career high of No. 71 this week.
- Pegula advanced after Francesca Jones retired due to illness.
- Fernandez defeated Oksana Selekhmeteva in three sets.
- This will be the fourth meeting between Pegula and Fernandez.
The upcoming match is the second time Pegula and Fernandez have met in Miami.