MIAMI GARDENS, FL – Aryna Sabalenka continued her dominant form at the Miami Open, securing a spot in the semifinals with a straight-set victory over American Hailey Baptiste on Wednesday. The world No. 1 defeated Baptiste 6-4, 6-4 in a match lasting one hour and 20 minutes, extending her impressive run at the WTA 1000 event.
Sabalenka, the defending champion from 2025, navigated a slightly shaky start to find her rhythm and control the match at Hard Rock Stadium. This victory marks her return to the semifinal stage in Miami, where she’ll face a familiar opponent in Elena Rybakina.
The 2026 season has been exceptionally strong for the Belarusian, coached by Anton Dubrov. She has already claimed titles in Brisbane and Indian Wells, and finished as runner-up at the Australian Open. With this win, Sabalenka has now amassed 21 victories on the year, suffering only a single defeat – ironically, against Rybakina in the Australian Open final.
Baptiste, ranked 45th, entered the quarterfinal with momentum after upsetting eighth-seeded Elina Svitolina and 24th-seeded Jelena Ostapenko in the previous rounds. She displayed a fearless approach against Sabalenka, playing aggressively from the baseline and refusing to back down. Despite the loss, Baptiste departed the court with a performance to be proud of.
Sabalenka initially faced challenges holding serve, fending off break points in her opening games. She capitalized on her lone break opportunity in the first set to gain the upper hand. The second set proved to be a tighter affair, with both players demonstrating strong form. However, Sabalenka secured two crucial breaks – in the sixth and tenth games – to close out the match. The final game was punctuated by three consecutive double faults from Baptiste, highlighting the pressure of the moment.
Sabalenka finished the match with 22 winners and 12 unforced errors, demonstrating her ability to dictate play and maintain composure under pressure. Her aggressive baseline game and powerful serve proved too much for Baptiste to overcome.
This semifinal matchup against Rybakina is shaping up to be a highly anticipated contest. Rybakina advanced to the semifinals after a comeback victory over Jessica Pegula, setting the stage for a rematch of the Australian Open final. The two players have already met twice this season, with Rybakina claiming victory in Melbourne and Sabalenka prevailing in Indian Wells. This will be their third encounter of 2026, solidifying a burgeoning rivalry at the top of the women’s game.
The developing dynamic between Sabalenka and Rybakina is quickly becoming a defining storyline in women’s tennis. Their contrasting styles – Sabalenka’s power and Rybakina’s precision – create compelling matchups that test each player’s strengths, and weaknesses.
For Baptiste, this tournament represents a significant step forward in her career. Her victories over Svitolina and Ostapenko showcased her potential and ability to compete with the top players in the world. While she fell short against Sabalenka, her performance demonstrated a growing confidence and maturity on the court.
The Miami Open continues to deliver thrilling action, and the semifinal clash between Sabalenka and Rybakina promises to be a highlight of the tournament. Fans can follow all the action live on Disney+ Plan Premium.
What’s Next: Aryna Sabalenka will face Elena Rybakina in the Miami Open semifinal on Thursday, March 26th. The match time is yet to be confirmed, but updates will be available on the official WTA Tour website and through Disney+ coverage.
What are your thoughts on Sabalenka’s performance? Will she be able to avenge her Australian Open loss to Rybakina? Share your predictions in the comments below!
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