MIAMI: Fourth seed Elena Rybakina beat Victoria Azarenka 6-4 0-6 7-6(2) on Thursday to reach the Miami Open final despite being bowled in the second set.
In Saturday’s title fight, Rybakina will play corners with American Danielle Collins, who defeated Russian 14th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3 6-2 in the last four.
Rybakina, the top seed remaining in the women’s draw, won 82% of her first serve points but could only secure two of 11 break chances.
“It was such a tough battle,” Rybakina said after reaching her fourth final of the year.
“I didn’t serve that well and neither did Vika, she hit her serve very well from the second set. It was difficult, but I knew I was going to fight until the end, and I actually did.”
The 24-year-old is looking to claim her third title of the year after victories in Brisbane and Abu Dhabi. She also defeated her opponent Collins in the finals in the last three meetings.
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According to Opta, Rybakina is the first player to reach four finals at the WTA level (Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Miami) in the first three months of the season since she achieved the same feat in 2020.
Collins qualified for her first final in Miami after hitting 21 winners and finishing the match in just over an hour.
“It’s special to do it in my home state,” said Collins, who is seeking her third career WTA title before retiring at the end of the season.
“I had a lot of tough battles with Rybakina, but I won with her a while ago in San Jose. I’ll have to do my homework with her.”
Collins is the second American aged 30+ to reach his first Miami Open final since Chris Evert in the event’s inaugural year in 1985.
