New Delhi: Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will square off in a blockbuster semi-final of the Miami Open, days after sparring in the final of Indian Wells.
Sabalenka prevailed over Rybakina 3–6, 6–3, 7–6(6) for her first Indian Wells title and will be looking to complete the coveted ‘Sunshine Double’.
World No. 1 Sabalenka enjoys a 9-7 head to head record against her opponent, who is only a spot below her in the WTA rankings.
The Belarusian defeated USA’s American Hailey Baptiste 6-4 6-4 ans said she expected another gruelling battle against the Kazakhstani, who won the Australian Open in January.
“It’s definitely going to be a battle. It’s always a battle, always a fight, always a challenge,” Sabalenka said after her win.
“We push each other to the limit and we always bring the best tennis… These are the matches where I get better as a player.”
Sablanka, the defending champion at Indian Wells, now has a 21-1 win-loss record for the year.
Rybakina rallies
Rybakina fought back from a set down to beat Jessica Pegula 2-6 6-3 6-4 in their quarter-final to reach her third semi-final in the tournament.
Sher completed her fifth successive win over the American, following victories at the Australian Open and Indian Wells.
“It’s always very difficult matches with Jessica. She started playing well, and I was a bit rushing and frustrated, but I’m happy that I managed to bounce back and turn it around in the second set,” Rybakina said in her on-court interview.
“Couple times I got lucky. I was trying to come a little bit more to the net. Jessica plays very fast and sometimes short, so it was not easy to just stay back I had to adapt a little bit.”
USA’s Coco Gauff and Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova will battle in the second semi-final.