WIMBLEDON: Elena Rybakina recovered from a tough Miami Open quarter-final against Maria Sakkari on Tuesday as the former Wimbledon champion qualified for the semi-finals for the second year running with a 7-5 6-7(4) 6-4 victory.
Rybakina, who will battle Victoria Azarenka for a place in the final, took about three hours to beat Sakkari. The Greek saved two match points in the second set but was unable to get over the line.
“I have no words because I’m so tired,” Kazakh Rybakina said.
“It was such a tough battle. I had a bit of luck with the new balls so it was easier to serve them … now I just have to recover.”
World number four Rybakina will have to bring her best game to the table when she takes on three-time Miami champion and former world number one Azarenka.
The seasoned Belarusian defeated Yulia Putintseva 7-6(4) 1-6 6-3 earlier in the day.
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Azarenka saved three set points before taking the first set tiebreak in the 90-minute opening act, but lost the second set.
“Very happy with the win today,” the 34-year-old told reporters.
“It’s good to be back in the later stages of the tournament, that’s what I’m working for.
Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz stayed on course for the Sunshine Double with a 6-3 6-3 win against Lorenzo Musetti to qualify for the Miami Open quarter-finals for the third consecutive year on Tuesday.
The Spaniard obliterated the 23rd seed from Italy in less than 90 minutes with a flurry of forehands.
Daniil Medvedev remained on course to retain the title for the first time in his career after beating Germany’s Dominik Koepfer 7-6(5) 6-0 to reach the quarter-finals.
