Sabalenka Challenges Rybakina in the 2026 Miami Open Semifinal

JAKARTA - World number one tennis player Aryna Sabalenka and world number two Elena Rybakina are confirmed to meet in the semifinals of the 2026 Miami Open after winning in different ways against their opponents in the quarterfinals.

Sabalenka, who is the defending champion at this tournament, qualified by defeating host Hailey Baptiste two sets straight 6-4 and 6-4 in one hour 20 minutes on Wednesday night, Miami time, United States, or Thursday, March 26, 2026, morning WIB.

The victory automatically led the Belarusian to arrange the 17th meeting of his career with Elena Rybakina in the WTA Tour, a match that is expected to be fierce.

"In my opinion, this meeting will definitely be a fierce battle. We always show the best tennis game. I hope you all enjoy watching our match and I am very excited to play against him again," said Sabalenka as quoted from the official WTA website.

Sabalenka is so far recorded as still ahead in the record of meetings with nine victories out of a total of 16 competitive clashes that have occurred. Her last victory over Rybakina was in the final round of Indian Wells 2026 two weeks ago.

Rybakina also defeated the host representative Jessica Pegula to reach the semifinals of this WTA 1000-level event. Pegula, who is ranked fifth and last year's finalist, picked up her bags from the tournament after a three-set match with a final score of 2-6, 6-3, and 6-4.

Sabalenka and Rybakina are scheduled to play on Friday, March 27, 2026, competing for a place in the tournament final. This is their third meeting in this year's competition calendar.

Rybakina previously defeated Sabalenka in the 2026 Australian Open final in January, which was Sabalenka's only defeat in 2026.

Sabalenka now needs two more wins to sweep the Indian Wells and Miami titles in one season or known as the Sunshine Double.