Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina have set the stage for another thrilling encounter, this time in the semi-finals of the Miami Open. The World No. 1 Sabalenka remains on track to secure the prestigious Sunshine Double, having already triumphed at Indian Wells earlier this month.
Rivalry Intensifies on the Hard Courts
This marks the third meeting between Sabalenka and Rybakina this season alone. Sabalenka, who boasts an impressive 21-1 record for the year, secured her victory at Indian Wells by defeating Rybakina in the final. However, Rybakina holds a psychological edge, having won their two most recent finals—the Australian Open in January and the WTA Finals at the close of last season.
"It's definitely going to be a battle," Sabalenka remarked after her 6-4, 6-4 quarter-final win over Hayley Baptiste. "It's always a battle, always a fight, always a challenge. 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."
Path to the Semi-Finals
Rybakina, the tournament's third seed, demonstrated her resilience by coming from a set down to overcome fifth seed Jessica Pegula 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. This victory extended her winning streak against Pegula to five consecutive matches.
In the other semi-final, fourth seed Coco Gauff will face the in-form Karolina Muchova. That match is scheduled for Thursday, followed by the highly anticipated clash between Sabalenka and Rybakina.
Historic Sunshine Double Pursuit
Sabalenka is now just two wins away from joining an elite group of tennis legends. Victory in Miami would make her only the fifth woman in history to achieve the Sunshine Double—winning both Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back. The last player to accomplish this feat was Iga Swiatek in 2022.
The exclusive club also includes Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, and the legendary Steffi Graf, who remarkably secured the Sunshine Double twice in 1994 and 1996.
Match Details and Broadcast Information
The Sabalenka versus Rybakina semi-final is scheduled to commence no earlier than 00:30 GMT on Friday, 27 March (20:30 ET local time on Thursday, 26 March). For viewers in the United Kingdom, comprehensive coverage of the Miami Open is available on Sky Sports.
