Aryna Sabalenka sinks Rybakina to set up Miami Open final showdown with Gauff

Aryna Sabalenka celebrates while defeating Elena Rybakina 6-4, 6-3 in the last four to set up a meeting with Coco Gauff in the final of the Miami Open. Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Aryna Sabalenka believes she is ready for the challenge of her rival Coco Gauff in the Miami Open final as she stands one win away from winning Indian Wells and Miami in the same year for the first time.

“She’s a fighter,” Sabalenka said of Gauff. “She’s a great player, of course. We played a lot of matches, a lot of tight matches, a lot of big finals. And, yeah, she’s a great player and I’m really excited to face her in the final. I think it’s going to be a great battle and I cannot wait to play that match.”