Sabalenka tees up Rybakina rematch in Miami Open semi-finals

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Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will reignite their rivalry for a place in the Miami Open semi-finals.

Rybakina secured her place in the last four with a comeback win over Jessica Pegula, and Sabalenka followed the Australian Open champion into the semis by beating Hailey Baptiste.

Sabalenka required one hour and 20 minutes to get the job done against Baptiste, winning 6-4 6-4.

The world number one is now set for a 17th career meeting with Rybakina, who she beat to win the Indian Wells Open title earlier this month, having previously lost to the Kazakh in the Australian Open and WTA Finals showpiece matches.

"I think it's definitely going to be a battle," Sabalenka said of facing Rybakina.

"It's always a battle, always a fight, always a challenge. And I think we push each other to the limit, and we always bring the best tennis.

"I hope that it's really enjoyable for you guys to watch us play and I'm super excited to be playing her again."

Sabalenka had to fend off two break points in the very first game, and another on her next service game.

However, Baptiste's failure to capitalise on those opportunities came back to bite her when she lost serve to hand Sabalenka the first set.

The pair traded blows midway through the second, but Sabalenka

Data Debrief: Another semi-final for Sabalenka

Sabalenka is the first player to reach the semi-finals at each of her first four WTA-level events in a season (Brisbane International, Australian Open, Indian Wells Open and the Miami Open) since Simona Halep in 2018.

She has also become the first player to reach four consecutive semi-finals on the Sunshine Swing since Serena Williams (2014-2016).

Sabalenka is yet to drop a set this edition of the tournament. In fact, she has now gone 10 straight Miami Open matches without doing so, becoming just the fifth woman to achieve the feat, after Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis and Williams.