(VIDEO) “What are you talking about?!”: Elena Rybakina clashes with coach Vukov mid-match in Miami

Elena Rybakina advanced to the semifinals of the Miami Open after a 2–6, 6–3, 6–4 victory over World No. 5 Jessica Pegula, securing her place in the semifinals of the tournament for the third time in her career and once again confirming the strong season she is having.

The Kazakh, currently ranked World No. 2, was under pressure early as Pegula dictated the match in the first set. Rybakina struggled to establish rhythm on serve and from the baseline, falling behind quickly as the American built a commanding lead. Precisely during those moments of frustration, Rybakina had a heated exchange of words with her coach Stefano Vukov.

That sequence marked the first set Rybakina has dropped this week in Miami, having previously recorded wins over Yulia Putintseva, Marta Kostyuk and Talia Gibson. It also contrasted with her broader form this season, where she has compiled a 21–4 record, including the Australian Open title and a runner-up finish at Indian Wells.

Despite the slow start, Rybakina’s response from the second set onward reflected her ability to adjust under pressure, a pattern that has defined her recent performances and sustained her position near the top of the WTA rankings. In any case, the images of the exchange between Vukov and Rybakina drew attention on social media.

The key moment came midway through the first set, with Pegula leading 5–2. Vukov, known for his vocal presence during matches, attempted to intervene with instructions that were clearly audible during the broadcast. “Elena, play ‘miner’ tennis. It works. Show character. Hit that ball!”

Rybakina, visibly frustrated and struggling to find solutions, reacted immediately as she walked back toward the baseline, turning toward her box in a rare display of emotion. “You see it doesn’t work! What are you talking about?!” responded the World No. 2, clearly frustrated in a match that was slipping out of her control.

The exchange briefly shifted the dynamic of the match. While Rybakina dropped the opening set, her level stabilised significantly afterward, suggesting the moment may have contributed to a reset in focus rather than further disruption.

From the second set onward, Rybakina imposed greater consistency on serve and limited Pegula’s opportunities to dictate rallies. She did not drop a single service game for the remainder of the match, saving four break points and gradually shifting control. The victory also reinforces Rybakina’s strong record in Miami, where she has previously reached the final in both 2023 and 2024, losing to Petra Kvitova and Danielle Collins respectively. Her current run offers another opportunity to challenge for the title.

Rybakina now awaits a potential semifinal clash with Aryna Sabalenka, who must first overcome Hailey Baptiste. A meeting between the two would represent a rematch of the Indian Wells final earlier this season, where Sabalenka prevailed. The Kazakh remains firmly positioned near the top of the rankings, although she trails Sabalenka by a margin of more than 2,000 points. Performances in tournaments such as Miami and the upcoming clay swing will be key in shaping that gap.

With momentum building and her level improving through the draw, Rybakina continues to establish herself as one of the most consistent contenders on tour. The response following the early setback against Pegula further underlined her capacity to adjust under pressure and close out high-level matches.