Rybakina fights off exhaustion and scare to reach second straight Miami final

Elena Rybakina has had an exceptional year thus far. Currently leading in wins on the WTA tour for 2024, she has claimed titles in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, and triumphed in the first WTA 1000 final of the year in Doha. The 24-year-old's prowess on the court is evident, as she has proven time and again that she has what it takes to outmatch most world-class opponents.  

However, the demanding and packed schedule seemed to have taken a toll on her during the Miami Open semifinal on Thursday night. Despite a dip in form, she showcased her resilience, battling through a tempestuous second set and a late resurgence from former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka to ultimately emerge victorious with a hard-fought 6-4, 0-6, 7-6 (2) victory.

Rybakina encountered some difficulties in the opening set, failing to convert her first five break-point opportunities. However, she eventually found her stride and managed to break Azarenka's serve, securing a 4-3 lead. Rybakina closed out the set with a flawless hold to love in less than an hour. 

The second set took an unexpected turn as Azarenka unleashed a stunning turnaround. The Belarusian committed only one unforced error and went on an impressive streak, winning seven consecutive games. On the other hand, Rybakina struggled to find her rhythm, making 13 unforced errors and only hitting four winners. Frustration set in for Rybakina as Azarenka broke her serve on three occasions, forcing the match into a deciding set.

Rybakina showed an improved performance at the start of the third set, moving with more agility. In the fifth game, she finally managed to break Azarenka's serve after several attempts, taking a 3-2 lead when Azarenka's backhand found the net. But Rybakina's first opportunity to serve out the match turned into a disappointing collapse.  

Azarenka broke back, leveling the score at 5-5, thanks to her relentless pursuit of a drop shot and Rybakina's subsequent backhand volley error. With the match hanging in the balance, Rybakina, serving to stay in the match, responded with a marvelous hold to love, forcing a tiebreak. She seized control by winning the first three points of the tiebreak and ultimately sealed the win.

"It was an incredibly challenging battle," said Rybakina during her on-court interview. "My serving wasn't at its best, and Victoria, especially in the second set, was really finding her rhythm with her serves. It made things quite difficult for me. However, I was determined to fight until the very end, and that's exactly what I did."

Rybakina's journey in this tournament has been quite grueling, with four out of her five matches stretching to the limit. The fatigue factor could potentially pose a significant challenge for her in the final. However, Rybakina remains remarkably composed and confident, undeterred by the physical demands.  

The hard-headed Kazakh made the point of noting that getting frustrated by the congested fixture is counterproductive, and instead focuses on maintaining a positive mindset even when things don't go her way. This mental resilience will surely become even more crucial in a tournament where she has expended all her energy and has no extra reserves to rely on.