Aryna Sabalenka Targets ‘Sunshine Double’ in Miami Open Semi-Final vs Rybakina
Aryna Sabalenka reached the Miami Open semi-finals after beating Hailey Baptiste 6-4, 6-4. The world No. 1 finished the match in about one hour and 20 minutes.
Sabalenka targets ‘Sunshine Double’ as she prepares for a Miami Open semi-final against Elena Rybakina. The Belarusian is the defending champion and improved her season record to 21-1.
Sabalenka overcomes Baptiste
Sabalenka was tested by the unseeded American early on. She survived three break points in the opening set and converted her only break chance.
The second set followed a similar pattern. A forehead return on match point secured the crucial break and the win.
Rybakina fights past Pegula
Elena Rybakina reached her third Miami Open semi-final with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Jessica Pegula. The match lasted two hours and 15 minutes.
Rybakina served 15 aces but won 98 points to Pegula’s 100. Pegula began strongly, taking a 4-0 lead in the first set.
Pegula missed three break points at 2-2 in the second set. That moment swung momentum in Rybakina’s favor.
Head-to-head and stakes
The upcoming semi-final will be their latest meeting. Sabalenka holds a 9-7 lead in their career meetings.
They are 1-1 against each other this season. Rybakina beat Sabalenka in the Australian Open final. Sabalenka won their recent Indian Wells final.
Sabalenka said the match will be a battle and a challenge. She added that such matches bring out her best tennis.
Other tournament notes
- Coco Gauff will face Karolína Muchová in the first women’s semi-final.
- Jiri Lehecka defeated 20-year-old qualifier Martin Landaluce in the men’s quarter-finals.
- Arthur Fils, 21, saved four match points to beat Tommy Paul and reach his first Masters 1000 semi.
- The Miami Open runs through March 29.
Report for Filmogaz.com.
