Sabalenka to face Rybakina in blockbuster Miami Open semi-final

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, the two top women’s players in the world, will battle it out in a ​Miami Open semi-final on Thursday after coming through their quarter-final matches.

World ‌number one Sabalenka took down American Hailey Baptiste 6-4 6-4 on Wednesday and is looking to complete the coveted ‘Sunshine Double’ after her triumph in the Indian Wells final over ​fellow big-hitter Rybakina.

“It’s definitely going to be a battle,” Sabalenka said ​in an on-court interview. “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.”

With the win, the defending champion from Belarus improved to 21-1 for the year. She also holds a 9-7 edge over Rybakina in their career meetings.

Rybakina rallies

Earlier in the day, ​Rybakina rallied from a set down to beat Jessica Pegula 2-6 6-3 6-4 ​in their quarter-final to reach the Miami Open last four for the third time. It ‌was ⁠her fifth consecutive win over the American, following victories this season at the Australian Open and Indian Wells.

“It’s always very difficult matches with Jessica,” Rybakina said in her on-court interview. “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.

“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.”

Thursday’s other semi-final will see American Coco ⁠Gauff ​take on Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic ​for a place in the final of the WTA 1000 event.