MIAMI: In a thrilling showdown at the Miami Open on Thursday, Fourth-seeded Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan secured her spot in the final, marking her fourth final appearance this season. She overcame 27th-seeded Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in a tense match that ended 6-4, 0-6, 7-6 (2) in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Rybakina’s opponent in the upcoming final on Saturday will be the unseeded US player Danielle Collins, who caused an upset by defeating 14th-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia with a score of 6-3, 6-2.
With this victory, Rybakina extended her season record to an impressive 22-3 and continued her quest for a third singles title in 2024. Moreover, she maintained her undefeated streak against Azarenka, now standing at 4-0.
Despite facing a tough challenge, particularly in the deciding set where she initially trailed, Rybakina showcased her resilience by breaking Azarenka’s serve and eventually clinching victory. She expressed gratitude to the supportive crowd and reflected on the intense battle, describing the tournament as a marathon from the very beginning.
Throughout the match, Rybakina’s powerful serves, including 11 aces, and her ability to dominate on first serves proved crucial. However, Azarenka proved to be a formidable opponent, forcing Rybakina to dig deep for every point.
The first set saw both players locked in a tight contest, with Rybakina eventually sealing it at 6-4. Azarenka fought back strongly in the second set, displaying dominance as she claimed victory with a flawless 6-0 scoreline.
Azarenka’s resilience was evident as she converted 50 percent of her break points and rallied to force a third set with a remarkable 16-point streak.
Despite the challenges posed by Azarenka, Rybakina’s determination and skill ultimately propelled her to the final, where she aims to add another title to her impressive season tally.
