Jessica Pegula thinks 22-year-old WTA player has been almost as good as Iga Swiatek this season

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Jessica Pegula has been previewing her next opponent in the Miami Open, having recorded an impressive victory over Leylah Fernandez.

The world number five, and second-ranked US player on the WTA, has endured a tough start to 2024, riddled with niggling injuries and shock defeats.

She has struggled to recapture the rhythm that saw her reach the WTA finals at the back-end of last year, where she was felled at the final hurdle by Iga Swiatek, the in-form player on tour right now.

Frustratingly enough, she is now set to face someone who she believes to be in similar form to the Polish powerhouse: Emma Navarro.

She spoke after her match with Fernandez.

What Jessica Pegula said about Emma Navarro

Talking to Tennis.com, the 30-year-old was effusive in her praise for Navarro, who has burst onto the scene this season with immeasurable speed.

Having played a huge amount of tennis already, she first reached the semi-finals in Brisbane, the final in Hobart, battled well against Elena Rybakina in Qatar before reaching another quarter-final and semi-final in Indian Wells and San Diego respectively.

Few would fancy their chances against her at the moment, but Pegula remains quietly confident despite being well aware of the challenge.

She noted: ‘Yeah I think it’ll be a really good test for me I mean she I think has the most wins on tour possibly [this season] or close to Iga [Swiatek], something like that, and it’s really tough to play someone that has that stat.

‘To me, she’s been probably one of the hottest players on tour right now and something of a new player as well so I don’t think a lot of players are super familiar with how she plays.

‘I’ve practised with her several times though and I think I have a pretty good gauge, but playing someone with that much confidence, that much momentum, is going to be a really tough test for me.’

An all-American clash at the Miami Open

Well, regardless of who wins this Round of 16 match, there will at least be one American certain to gain safe passage into the quarter-finals.

However, going off current form, as detailed previously, Navarro blows Pegula out of the water. Two ESPN pundits have already been left stunned by her physical transformation.

Then again, experience counts for a lot when delving deeper into these tournaments, the likes of which the Wimbledon quarter-finalist will have far more of.

With Coco Gauff and Madison Keys also vying for their spot in the next round too, we could see an American takeover, all seeking to beat Swiatek to the title.