Rybakina knock out Badosa to reach round of 16 at Miami Open.

Elena Rybakina defeated Paula Badosa in three sets battle at the third round of the Miami Open by 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Badosa and Rybakina faced each other in the third round of the Miami Open. Less than two weeks ago they had played in the BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells, also in the third round, with a victory for the Kazakh, who subsequently lifted the trophy in the final against Aryna Sabalenka.

In an intense match, the Spaniard dominated the first set and much of the second, controlling it with her serve. Without major problems, the 25-year-old player took the first set 6-3. Everything seemed to indicate that Rybakina was not at her best, constantly making unforced errors that helped the Spaniard control the points. The former Wimbledon champion saved a match point in the second set but managed to overcome it and come back into the game, equalizing 5-5, and then obtaining a new break to take the second set 7-5.

The third set began with the first games contested, but the world No. 7 continued to raise her level and the physical difference with the Spaniard was noticeable as she mentally fell due to her opponent's dominance. Although Badosa fought until the end, Rybakina came back in the match and win the third set by 6-3 on her second match point chance.
Rybakina continues with her streak in search of achieving the "sunshine double". In the round of 16, she must await the opponent of the match between Croatian Petra Martic and Belgian Elise Mertens, who will play tomorrow.