Pegula won the first set after a big comeback as she saved a set point on Eala's serve when the 19-year-old was serving for the opener in the ninth game. Also, the American was 2-3 down in the tie-break before winning the next five points to seal the first set.

By dismissing the 19-year-old rising star, Pegula set up her first meeting versus Sabalenka since suffering a 5-7 5-7 loss in last year's US Open final. Going into the Miami final, The world No. 4 has only two wins in eight clashes against the Belarusian tennis star.

Though Pegula has made three Miami Open semifinals in four years, she has never gotten this far. Now she goes for her fourth WTA 1000 (point) title.