World number one Aryna Sabalenka defeats Elena Rybakina to set up a Miami Open final against Coco Gauff, keeping her Sunshine Double bid alive.
MIAMI: World number one Aryna Sabalenka powered past second-ranked Elena Rybakina 6-4, 6-3 in a blockbuster Miami Open semi-final.
The defending champion broke the big-serving Rybakina twice in each set to keep her bid for the “Sunshine Double” of Indian Wells and Miami titles on track.
“I think I did everything right,” said Sabalenka, who applied ruthless pressure on Rybakina’s serve. Her own service performance featured nine aces, including four in a row during the first set.
“She’s an incredible player, always pushes me to the limit,” Sabalenka added. “With her, you have to bring your best tennis and that’s why I was able to pull out such great tennis today.”
Sabalenka seized a break for a 3-1 lead in the opening set. Rybakina recouped the break immediately, but Sabalenka broke again to pocket the set.
She took command in the second with a break for 2-0 in a game which Rybakina had led 40-0. Trailing 0-4, Rybakina clawed back a break for 4-1 but Sabalenka wouldn’t flinch again.
Rybakina saved one match point on her own serve before Sabalenka served it out with a love game punctuated by a fierce forehand winner.
The match marked the first time outside the WTA Finals that the world’s two top-ranked players met before a final since the 1998 US Open semi-finals.
This occurred because Rybakina was seeded third, with her rise to second in the rankings coming a day after the Miami draw was made.
Sabalenka now lines up a Miami Open title clash with American Coco Gauff.
