2024 Miami Open Women's Final Preview: Perfect return for Elena RYBAKINA or perfect send-off story for Danielle Collins?

The women's final is set at the 2024 Miami Open and will be played on Friday as Elena Rybakina faces Danielle Collins in the showpiece tie in Florida. Redemption for Rybakina or a potential send-off title for Collins?

Our preview ill look ahead to the championship match between the pair including route to the final, leading storylines, Head to Head and also a prediction of how the match will be won.

Elena Rybakina will play in another Miami final after being defeated by Petra Kvitova this time last year in a win she was expected to seal to claim the Sunshine Double. Albeit it is a different perspective this time around with Rybakina doing enough as others faltered despite not being 100%.

Rybakina had gastrointestinal flu over the last few weeks and missed her Indian Wells title defence meaning points to chase and also the potentially for upset watch going into the tournament given that she hadn't practiced for 8 days. This though has continued with Rybakina not practicing after matches and has been exhausted after playing.

But as ever, this version of Rybakina finds a way and after dealing with illness of and on over the last 12 months, the frustration of it all is also likely a factor in spurring her on. She lost her first set to Clara Tauson and also lost a set in the next round in shaky matches against Taylor Townsend. Her only real win of ease as such was Madison Keys with Maria Sakkari and Victoria Azarenka being epics on different scales. The former being a grueller at some junctures and the other being a Rybakina putting her foot on the gas in the face of adversity. Now she has Collins in her sights.

The so called Ice Queen has had a superb 2024 at times winning Brisbane and Abu Dhabi with only blips in losing early at the Australian Open and also this recent illness aiming to derail her. But she still leads the tour in match wins and with her power heavy game will face Collins in what can be a fan friendly clash if the power stakes are for you.

Retiring at the end of 2024, Danielle Collins made her WTA splash as a qualifier six years ago at the Miami Open by reaching the latter stages and just as she did in her breakout, she has done at the end of her career. Both likely carrying freedom and the sense that she isn't chasing anything or defending any rankings.

It is a real fairytale story with Collins being from Florida and going to college in the state and being in Miami, it could be a real perfect end to a career which is remarkable in itself. Albeit her likely farewell will come at her US Open before her final few tournaments before the season ends but this would be the icing on the cake for a player from nearby to seal the title.

Battling throughout her career with endometriosis in particular which she has been fairly open about, Collins believes the time is now to walk away and become a mother and do parts of her life that tennis restricts. She has had some questioning this week surrounding her decision to retire due to how well she is playing, but she has batted that away.

It has not been an easy run through either with only one set lost in Bernarda Pera in the first round. Anastasia Potapova followed before Elina Avanesyan. Sorana Cirstea was the biggest seed to fall next for Collins followed by Caroline Garcia who had vanquished Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka. Ekaterina Alexandrova handed it to Collins on a plate not backing up her Swiatek win. Now Rybakina awaits in the biggest task yet.

Head to Head wise Rybakina though holds the cards with a 4-1 lead including a recent meeting at Abu Dhabi in 2024. Back then she won the title and saw off Collins in the last 16 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. Albeit most of their meetings have gone three sets so the Head to Head isn't really a full reflection of dominance and it will likely be another final that goes the distance.