Tim Henman pinpoints the area of Jessica Pegula’s game that needs improvement after losing to Aryna Sabalenka in Miami

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Jessica Pegula came up short in a bid for her fourth WTA 1000 title in Miami.

The American star took to the court against world number one Aryna Sabalenka as a big underdog, having lost her two previous finals against the Belarussian.

Pegula looked competitive during the early stages; however, as the pair exchanged breaks in an entertaining first set.

It was Sabalenka who eventually clinched the first set, 7-5, putting her within touching distance of a maiden Miami Open title.

Stepping into another gear in the second, the Belarussian WTA star powered home to win 7-5, 6-2, lifting the trophy in front of the Floridian fans.

After the match, one former ATP top ten player highlighted the improvements Pegula must make if she is to turn things around in her rivalry with Sabalenka.

Tim Henman says it’s ‘pretty clear’ Jessica Pegula needs to improve her serve after Miami Open final loss

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Tim Henman picked the shot Pegula needs to work on over the coming months.

“Look to improve the serve,” he said.

“In a big final, if you have ten service games and only hold three times, it is virtually impossible to win a match of this nature.

“She is playing great but she has a great work ethic and team around her.

“It is pretty clear the areas that she needs to work on.”

Pegula’s serve let her down in the final, as she was broken seven times by her 26-year-old opponent.

After seeing Pegula suffer another tough defeat against Sabalenka, Henman explained what he thinks the result will do to the American.

“I am pleased she has won at this level [before] because she has had a couple of tough losses,” he said.

“Final at the US Open, final at Cincinnati, and final here, losing to [Aryna] Sabalenka.

“She knows Sabalenka is the bench mark; she is the best in the world right now, and I think that will continue to motivate Pegula to look to improve.”

The 31-year-old has now lost three consecutive ‘big’ finals against the world number one and trails the head-to-head with Sabalenka, 2-7.

• 2025 Miami Open F – Aryna Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula, 7-5, 6-2
• 2024 US Open F – Aryna Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula, 7-5, 7-5
• 2024 Cincinnati F – Aryna Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula, 6-3, 7-5

Pegula’s loss to Sabalenka in last year’s US Open final was undoubtedly the toughest to stomach, as she fell to defeat in her maiden Major final appearance.

Who did Jessica Pegula beat to win her three WTA 1000 titles?

Henman mentioned he was ‘pleased’ Pegula had been victorious at the WTA 1000 level in the past, but who did the American beat on her way to those titles?

Pegula took down four members of the current top ten on her way to winning the Guadalajara Open in 2022 and the Canadian Open in 2023 and 2024.

Her most impressive win came in the 2023 Canadian Open semi-finals, as she battled past then-world number one Iga Swiatek in three sets.

Perhaps worryingly for Pegula, all three of her final wins came against players currently ranked outside the world’s top 15.

• 2024 Canadian Open F – Jessica Pegula beat Amanda Anisimova (WTA #17)
• 2023 Canadian Open F – Jessica Pegula beat Liudmila Samsonova (WTA #21)
• 2022 Guadalajara Open F – Jessica Pegula beat Maria Sakkari (WTA #51)

If she is to pick up the biggest titles on tour, Pegula will likely need to start picking up wins against the best players on the biggest occasions.

Pegula’s next appearance at the WTA 1000 level will likely be in Madrid, as she begins her campaign in the Spanish capital on April 22.