Miami, FL
Pegula saves match points to edge Potapova in late-night thriller in Miami
MIAMI — No.3 Jessica Pegula saved two match factors to advance to her seventh WTA 1000 semifinal, defeating No.26 Anastasia Potapova 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(2) within the Miami Open quarterfinals. A semifinalist in Miami final 12 months, Pegula turns into the primary American to succeed in back-to-back semifinals at Miami since Serena Williams in 2014 and 2015.
Into her second WTA 1000 semifinal of the season, Pegula will face reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina within the semifinals on Thursday. Rybakina is bidding to change into the fifth lady to ever sweep the “Sunshine Double”, profitable Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back in a single season. Pegula holds a 2-0 head-to-head file towards Rybakina.
“I do not thoughts taking part in her, not less than prior to now,” Pegula mentioned. “Clearly she’s picked up her stage since then, so it’s going to be a tricky check, particularly after this match, simply bodily see how I really feel. Hopefully I can get well in time. At the least I’ve one other day.”
“I believe she and Sabalenka are those to beat proper now so it should be a terrific check and a deserved semi for a event like this.”
Pegula got here into the match with a 3-0 file towards Potapova, however the American was properly cautious of the problem earlier than her. Their most up-to-date assembly got here two weeks in the past at Indian Wells, the place Potapova had her on the ropes, main 3-1 within the remaining set earlier than Pegula mounted a comeback to win.
The beginning of the match was delayed for practically 4 hours resulting from rain, with the gamers taking the court docket at 10:45 p.m. The impact of the prolonged delay was evident from the beginning of the match, as each gamers struggled to search out their rhythm and depth from the baseline.
However after falling behind 2-0, Potapova performed cleaner, extra constantly aggressive tennis to win 5 straight video games and lead 5-2. Pegula closed the hole to 5-4, however she was damaged for the set after a Potapova backhand skimmed the again fringe of the baseline for a clear winner on set level.
Pegula responded by halving her unforced error depend (19 to 10), enhancing her first serve share (50% to 63%), and going excellent on her break level probabilities (3 for 3). This time it was Pegula rebounding from a 2-0 deficit, because the American responded by profitable 4 consecutive video games to construct a 4-2 lead and drive a decider from there.
Potapova got here into the match main the Hologic WTA Tour in three-set wins with an 8-3 file, and he or she proved her mettle as soon as once more down the stretch. On an evening when a 2-0 lead proved precarious, Pegula noticed Potapova win 4 consecutive video games to steer by a break at 4-2.
“She was simply taking part in fearless, simply going for her pictures, transferring nicely,” Pegula mentioned. “The important thing was to not get too annoyed and simply try to keep inside one break within the third regardless that I used to be actually gassed. I knew regardless she would get tight attempting to shut it out. She received somewhat tight and I used to be capable of take my probabilities.”
With Potapova serving at 5-4, Pegula saved two match factors from 40-15 down and broke on her third break level to stage the set. Undeterred, Potapova broke instantly to earn a second probability to serve out the win, however once more Pegula broke again, this time to drive a deciding tiebreak.
This time Pegula constructed a lead she wouldn’t relinquish. Together with her forehand locked in once more, Pegula raced out to a 5-1 lead and closed out the win after 2 hours and 36 minutes. The match ended nicely after 1:00 a.m.
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Penn State had a successful Saturday, beating SMU in the College Football Playoff first round in convincing fashion. But not everything went the Nittany Lions’ way.
David Blay, one of Penn State’s top targets in the transfer portal, committed to Miami. The news was reported by on3 on Saturday afternoon.
In addition to Penn State and Miami, Blay was also being pursued by Florida State, Illinois, Oklahoma, USC, Wisconsin, Mississippi State and Arkansas.
Blay, a standout at Louisiana Tech who visited last weekend, was a top target for the Nittany Lions as they look to add depth and talent to their defensive line for the 2025 season.
Blay is a Levittown native who played at Harry S. Truman High School outside Philadelphia before going to West Chester to play at the Division II level in 2021 and 2022. Blay transferred to Louisiana Tech, where he was a first-team All-Conference USA selection this year.
Blay finished the 2024 season with 46 tackles, 10 1/2 tackles for loss and 6 1/2 sacks.
Penn State has addressed a couple needs in the portal so far in the winter window, earning commitments from USC wide receiver Kyron Hudson and Texas A&M defensive end Enai White. But the Nittany Lions would love to add a defensive tackle or two.
Throughout the season, Oklahoma City has had struggles shooting from outside, and a fix could come through the trade route.
On Friday, the Thunder won their seventh straight regular season game with a 104-97 victory in Miami. The Thunder improved to 22-5 and had one of their best 3-point shooting nights of the season, shooting 14-of-34 from outside.
On the other side, the Thunder might have played against someone who could be a seamless fit. Heat forward Duncan Robinson had a rough shooting night against the Thunder, as most players in the league do, but kept firing for a 3-of-11 night from beyond the arc.
A career 39.7% 3-point shooter, Robinson has hit near that mark again this season while taking well over six attempts per game. Although his defense has been criticized throughout his career, he has shown he can play well enough to stay on the floor and contribute, as seen by his roles in Miami’s 2020 and 2023 Finals runs.
As far as the trade block, the Thunder have already been linked to Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson. While he and Robinson have a similar contract, Johnson has one more year on his deal and makes a bit more money.
While Johnson’s added production makes him clearly the better player and potential target, the Thunder might be able to get Robinson for a much lower price, especially if the Heat begin to shift gears and go through with a Jimmy Butler trade.
In any case, the Thunder would have to send out someone in the rotation. Given what Robinson could bring to the Thunder, players on newly signed extensions, such as Isaiah Joe or Aaron Wiggins, could be the perfect centerpiece of a deal alongside another small contract.
Given their youth, skillsets, and long-term security, either could be a solid piece for the Heat. Meanwhile, this would be a win-now move for the Thunder, losing one of the young wings they’ve developed for a proven playoff performer.
Perhaps the Thunder would be hesitant to make such a deal after the Gordon Hayward trade went south last season. However, Robinson has been in and out of the Heat’s rotation throughout his time with Erik Spoelstra and could adapt to any role the Thunder throw at him.
There might not be a perfect trade for the Thunder, but Robinson could solve some problems and push the Thunder’s shooting into a championship tier.
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Miami 2026 quarterback commit Dereon Coleman comments on alpha mentality, his relationship with offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, and why he remains committed to the Hurricanes after DEFCON 7-on-7 Showcase (try-outs) in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
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