Three-time Miami Open champion Victoria Azarenka and fourth-seeded Elena Rybakina battled through grueling matches to secure their spots in the semi-finals. Azarenka, 34, overcame a spirited challenge from Yulia Putintseva, winning 7-6 (7/4), 1-6, 6-3. Rybakina, 24, held off a strong performance from eighth-seed Maria Sakkari of Greece, emerging victorious with a 7-5, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4 scoreline.
Azarenka’s victory was hard-fought, as she faced a determined Putintseva and a technical disruption that halted the match for 45 minutes. Despite saving three set points in the first set, Azarenka lost the second set before finding her rhythm in the third. Putintseva refused to give up, fighting off match point before breaking, but Azarenka held on to secure her place in the last four.
Rybakina’s match against Sakkari was equally intense, lasting over two hours and 48 minutes. Rybakina led in the first set but Sakkari’s service faltered at a crucial moment, allowing the Kazakh to break and take the set. Sakkari fought back in the second set, but Rybakina’s resilience shone through as she won the tie-break. Despite an apparent ankle problem, Rybakina broke Sakkari at 3-3 in the third set and held on to close out the match.
Azarenka and Rybakina will now face off in the semi-finals, with the winner advancing to the final. Azarenka is seeking her fourth Miami title, while Rybakina is aiming to improve on her runner-up finish from last year.
