World number one Aryna Sabalenka and second-ranked Elena Rybakina have booked a blockbuster semi-final at the Miami Open. Sabalenka held off big-hitting American Hailey Baptiste 6-4, 6-4, while Rybakina beat fifth-seeded American Jessica Pegula 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Rybakina and Sabalenka will face off for a place in the final of the elite ATP and WTA event at Hard Rock Stadium. Rybakina previously beat Sabalenka in the Australian Open final, but Sabalenka avenged it with a victory in the Indian Wells final.
Sabalenka is now two wins away from completing the 'Sunshine Double' of Indian Wells and Miami. Baptiste failed to convert three break points in Sabalenka's first two service games, while Rybakina shrugged off a slow start to post her fifth straight win over Pegula.
In the men's draw, 21st-seeded Czech Jiri Lehecka ended the dream run of qualifier Martin Landaluce, beating the 151st-ranked Spaniard 7-6 (7/1), 7-5. Lehecka will face either 22nd-seeded American Tommy Paul or 28th-seeded Arthur Fils of France for a place in the final.
