Miami Open: Coco Gauff to face Aryna Sabalenka after reaching final for first time

Gauff and Sabalenka have both won six of their 12 previous meetings, with Sabalenka winning the most recent at last year’s WTA Finals.

Sabalenka has now won 17 of the 18 matches which she has contested in an excellent start to the year, triumphing in Brisbane and Indian Wells either side of the Australian Open final loss to Rybakina.

But the 27-year-old, who has won four Grand Slam events, has since taken her revenge for that loss.

After battling back from a set down against Rybakina to win her 10th WTA 1000 tournament earlier in March, Sabalenka got the better of her rival for the second time in two weeks to become only the fourth women’s player since 2000 to reach the final at her first four tour-level events of a season.

Having clinched the opening set with a break of serve in the 10th game, Sabalenka stormed into a 4-0 lead with a double break in the second and held on after Rybakina reduced the deficit to win in one hour and 19 minutes.

It left Sabalenka one victory from completing the Sunshine Double – winning Indian Wells and the Miami Open in the same season – last achieved by Swiatek in 2022.

On what she expects in her final against Gauff, Sabalenka said: “A lot of rallies, a lot of emotions, a lot of aggression, a lot of fun.

“It’s going to be a battle and I’m super excited to play her in another final.”