Last year's Miami Open finalist, Elena Rybakina, is hoping to make another final, but to do so, she'll have to overcome a very solid Victoria Azarenka.
This is a rather interesting matchup between two very solid players who have been playing some really good tennis at the WTA 1000 tournament in Miami. Rybakina's fit on these courts was proven last year when she made a run to the final, ultimately losing to Petra Kvitova.
Azarenka's fit is interesting because she's been able to cruise to the draw a bit easier than anticipated. Quick courts can be tricky for her because she's primarily a counter-punching player, but after so many years on Tour, she knows how to use raw power against her opponents.
She hasn't been able to do that much against Rybakina, but maybe this is the time she does it.
They have played a few times so far, and Rybakina has won all of those matches. We have seen three of them so far, and one of them was played recently at the Dubai Championships. Rybakina won that match after Azarenka retired, but it was 1-1 in sets, so it seems like Azarenka was able to find something there.
If she can find that again, perhaps this match will end up being really close. I do think it will because there are some things around Rybakina that look worrying. She hasn't looked as sharp this year as last year and is dealing with fatigue issues, which won't go away after yet another long and tough match.
| Elena Rybakina | Victoria Azarenka | |
| 3 | H2H | 0 |
| 4 | Rank | 32 |
| 24 | Age | 34 |
| 21-3 | 2024 W/L | 14-5 |
| 310-135 | Career W/L | 613-250 |
I think Rybakina will win the match because she's the better player, but I could see Azarenka making it interesting by winning a set. In fact, I'm pretty sure she'll win at least a set.
Prediction: Elena Rybakina to win in three sets.