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Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina reach Miami Open semi final at Hard Rock Stadium after wins over Hailey Baptiste and Jessica Pegula, renewing their fierce rivalry.
Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina to face off in Miami Open semi-final (AP)
World number one Aryna Sabalenka and second-ranked Elena Rybakina booked a blockbuster semi-final at the Miami Open on Wednesday.
Defending champion Sabalenka held off big-hitting American Hailey Baptiste, ranked 45th, 6-4, 6-4, while Rybakina defeated fifth-seeded American Jessica Pegula — runner-up to Sabalenka last year — 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
They will return on Thursday night at Hard Rock Stadium to fight for a place in the final of the elite ATP and WTA event.
Rybakina edged Sabalenka in a nail-biting Australian Open final in January — the world number one’s only defeat in 2026 — but the Belarusian avenged that loss with a victory in the Indian Wells final this month.
“We’ve been playing a lot of matches, recently actually, and all of them have been a battle, all of them been a show,” Sabalenka told the Tennis Channel. “I’m super-excited facing her.”
Sabalenka is now two wins away from completing the “Sunshine Double” of Indian Wells and Miami.
Baptiste, playing her first WTA 1000 quarter-final, failed to convert three break points in Sabalenka’s first two service games.
Sabalenka finally broke Baptiste when the American double-faulted on set point.
Sabalenka earned an early break in the second set, but Baptiste broke back and held confidently to level at 4-4.
Serving at 4-5 to stay in the match, the American opened with three straight double faults. Sabalenka pounced, converting her second match point with a blistering return.
“She really pushed me,” Sabalenka said.
“The rhythm, the heaviness of her shots is incredible. I’m super happy that I was able to hold the pressure and to get the win.”
Renewing Rivalry!
She will now face a familiar foe in Rybakina, who shrugged off a slow start to post her fifth straight win over Pegula — a streak that includes a semi-final victory at the Australian Open and a quarter-final win at Indian Wells.
Pegula, who won last month’s WTA title in Dubai, broke twice to race to a 4-0 lead and took the opening set in 35 minutes.
But Rybakina began to find her rhythm and broke for a 4-2 lead on the way to forcing a third set, then seized control of the decider with an early break.
“It’s always very difficult matches with Jessica,” said Rybakina, who is seeded third despite rising to No. 2 in the world for the first time this week.
“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.”
(With inputs from Agencies)
March 26, 2026, 08:21 IST
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