Elena Rybakina advanced to the semi-finals of the Miami Open with a convincing 6-3, 6-0 win over Italy’s Martina Trevisan at Hard Rock Stadium on Tuesday to extend her winning streak to 12 matches.
American world number three Jessica Pegula had to dig deep to come back from a set down to beat Russian Anastasia Potapova 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/2 ), saving two points, in a game that ended in 1:30 a.m.
Wimbledon champion Rybakina, who competes for Kazakhstan, remains in contention for the “Sunshine Double” of the Indian Wells and Miami WTA titles after defeating Aryna Sabalenka in California earlier this year. month.
Sabalenka was the biggest obstacle to Rybakina’s comeback win against the Belarusian in the spectacular South Florida.
Sabalenka defeated Barbora Krejcíkova in straight sets in her fourth round match on Monday and faces Romanian Sorana Cirstea in the last eight on Wednesday.
Rybakina took control of his match against Trevisan when the Italian doubled up on his opponent with a 3-1 advantage in the first set.
Although Trevisan broke to return to serve at 4-3, Rybakina took complete control and won the remaining eight games to close out the victory in 69 minutes.
The world number seven said he felt the pace of his tough schedule.
“It’s better to feel good on the field physically, but this is what I have to play, and now I’m winning, which I like, ” he said.
“My service was not good, the percentage of the first team, but in important moments like 30-all, 30-40 and so on, I served aces,” the four added the player from Moscow.
“I think it’s important to find these moments and be strong, and for now I’m fine even if it’s not new.”
Pegula got off to a flying start in her Miami matches and quickly broke back to go 2-0 up in the first set, but Potapova won the next five games with some strong power and then stopped take the set.
Pegula dominated in the second but Potapova was determined in the third and put herself in a position to win the match but was unable to convert on her two points and forced in the bundle.
The American looked tired, but he found the strength for a strong finish, winning the breaker 7-2.
“I don’t know how I turned,” he said Pegula after the victory.
“I kept going. It was a great victory. I wasn’t physically tired for a long time, only the milk left me.” he added.
Pegula will have the day off before facing Rybakina and says she is relishing the opportunity.
“She played great tennis, I feel like she and Sabalenka will win now. It will be a great test and I think it’s a fitting semi for a tournament like this,” he said.
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