Fourth seed Elena Rybakina showcased her resilience as she overcame a second-set setback to defeat Belarusian Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 0-6, 7-6(2) in a thrilling encounter on Thursday, securing her spot in the Miami Open final.
In the highly anticipated title clash scheduled for Saturday, Rybakina will square off against American Danielle Collins, who secured her place in the final with a convincing victory over Russian 14th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the other semi-final.
Despite facing a tough challenge from Azarenka, Rybakina, the highest seed remaining in the women’s draw, demonstrated her dominance by winning nearly 82% of her first-serve points. However, she struggled to convert her break-point opportunities, converting only two out of eleven chances throughout the match.
Reflecting on her hard-fought victory, Rybakina expressed her determination during her on-court interview, emphasizing her commitment to fighting until the end. Despite her challenges, Rybakina showcased her astonishing power and resilience, clinching victory in a grueling encounter that lasted two hours and 33 minutes.
The match saw a seesaw battle between the two players, with Rybakina seizing the initiative in the opening set after a tense exchange of break points. However, Azarenka fought back strongly in the second set, delivering a flawless performance to force a decisive third set.
In the final set, Rybakina regained her momentum, displaying improved movement and breaking Azarenka’s serve to take a crucial lead. Although faced with a late resurgence from Azarenka, Rybakina held her nerve to force a tiebreak and ultimately emerged victorious after winning the first three points.
With her eyes set on clinching her third title of the year, Rybakina will enter the final with confidence, especially considering her previous success against Collins in their last three encounters.
Meanwhile, Collins expressed her excitement at reaching her maiden Miami Open final, highlighting her home state’s significance in her journey. Despite acknowledging Rybakina’s formidable presence, Collins remains determined to do her homework and prepare diligently for the final showdown.
