Aryna Sabalenka is set to face Coco Gauff in the Miami Open final.
Gauff reached her first Miami Open final after cruising past Karolina Muchova in straight sets. Sabalenka overcame Elena Rybakina in straight sets to secure her place in the final.
Sabalenka’s Road to the Final
Sabalenka beat Rybakina 6-4 6-3 in their latest encounter. Earlier this month, Sabalenka also defeated Rybakina in the Indian Wells final. However, Rybakina defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open showpiece.
Sabalenka has now won 17 of the 18 matches she has contested this year. Her excellent start to the year includes triumphs in Brisbane and Indian Wells, either side of her Australian Open final loss to Rybakina. Sabalenka has taken revenge for that loss with subsequent victories.
Sabalenka clinched the opening set against Rybakina with a break of serve in the 10th game. She then stormed into a 4-0 lead with a double break in the second set. Sabalenka held on after Rybakina reduced the deficit to win in one hour and 19 minutes.
Sabalenka is the fourth player this century to reach the final at her first four WTA events of a season. The others are Martina Hingis, Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka.
Gauff’s Perspective Ahead of the Final
Florida-born Gauff, 22, dropped only two games to triumph 6-1 6-1 in one hour and 30 minutes against Muchova. Gauff will rise to third in the world next week, above former world number one Iga Swiatek, on the back of reaching the final. She lost serve at the start of the match but won 10 games in a row to take control against Czech 13th seed Muchova.
“It was not as straightforward as the scoreline suggests,” Gauff said on Sky Sports.
Gauff and Sabalenka have both won six of their 12 previous meetings. Sabalenka won the most recent at last year’s WTA Finals.
Sunshine Double Within Reach
Sabalenka is one victory from completing the Sunshine Double. Winning Indian Wells and the Miami Open in the same season was last achieved by Swiatek in 2022.
- Sabalenka beat Rybakina in the Indian Wells final earlier this month.
- Sabalenka overcame Rybakina in straight sets in the Miami Open semi-final.
- Sabalenka has won 17 of 18 matches this year.
Sabalenka anticipates a final against Gauff with “a lot of rallies, a lot of emotions, a lot of aggression, a lot of fun.” She added: “It’s going to be a battle and I’m super excited to play her in another final.”