Elena RYBAKINA survives marathon match, overcomes Maria SAKKARI and secures Miami Open semifinal berth

Elena Rybakina (No. 4) advances to the Miami Open semi-finals after beating Maria Sakkari (No. 9) 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-4. Although there were long spells of inconsistency from both players, they ended up putting on a show in the final set in a match that was decided after almost three hours.

The Kazakh was in physical discomfort from the first set and although her level was not the best, it was not an impediment to take an important victory and reach the semifinals of the Miami Open.

Rybakina had just 59% of first serve, below what she normally achieves, but maintained her usual effectiveness winning 88% of them and 58% with the second service. On the other side Sakkari was very irregular with her first serve with just 44%, although she won 87% of them and 42% with the second serve. Despite a good start from both sides, as the games went by the level dropped with constant unforced errors from both sides.

2022 Wimbledon champion took the first break but Sakkari immediately got it back. With the score 6-5 in favour of Rybakina everything indicated that the set would go to a tie-break, but the Greek did not have a good service game and finally the world No. 4 took the set 7-5.

Despite the advantage in the second set Rybakina was frustrated as she was making constant unforced errors. At the start of the second set both were erratic on serve and the first three games were two breaks for Sakkari and one for Rybakina. The Greek managed to hold the advantage and was 4-2 up with two break chances.

However, the errors took their toll and without Rybakina demanding too much she won three consecutive games and then with Sakkari's serve she had two match points that she could not finish. The set went to the tie-break, where Sakkari was more accurate to take the set 7-6(4).

The third set had both players defending their serve well in the first games until 3-3 when Rybakina got a crucial break. Further ahead the Kazakh again wasted a couple of match points on her opponent's serve, but finally with her serve she held on for a hard-fought 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-4 victory.

In the semi-finals she will face Victoria Azarenka (No. 27) who has had an excellent week and is in the semi-finals of a WTA 1000 for the 25th time and first time since 2020 Indian Wells (defeat in the final against Paula Badosa). The former world No. 1 is coming off a 7-6(4), 1-6, 6-3 win over Yulia Putintseva.