Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will collide Thursday evening in the semifinals of the Miami Open. The two most dominant players in women’s tennis at the moment will face off in what will be a repeat of the 2026 Australian Open and Indian Wells finals. Rybakina defeated Jessica Pegula to secure her place in the semifinals, while Sabalenka breezed past Hailey Baptiste.
Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka Match Details
Date: March 26, 2026
Tournament: Miami Open 2026
Round: Semifinals
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Fla.
Surface: Outdoor hard
Category: WTA 1000
Live Telecast: Tennis Channel, Sky Sports, TSN
Rybakina vs Sabalenka Head-to-Head History
This will be the 17th meeting between the two, with Sabalenka narrowly ahead, 9-7. The Belarusian came out on top earlier this month in a closely contested BNP Paribas Open final, ending a run of two straight Rybakina wins at the Australian Open and WTA Finals.
Rybakina has been playing career-best tennis over the last six months and has started 2026 with 21 wins in 25 matches. She defeated Pegula in three sets on Wednesday to secure her place in the semifinals.
It was a well-deserved comeback win, with Rybakina hitting 15 aces and converting 2 of her 8 break-point opportunities. She has been clinical in Miami, often rallying back when down to win the big points.
Sabalenka, however, has been in dominant form all year. The Belarusian has lost just one match in 2026 and dropped only one set during the Sunshine Double (in the Indian Wells final against Rybakina).
Comfortable victories over Qinwen Zheng and Baptiste have highlighted her Miami run, where she is also the reigning champion.
Rybakina vs Sabalenka Match Prediction
As is always the case for any player facing Sabalenka, Rybakina will have to play at her very best to have a chance. She has managed to cause problems for the world No. 1 in recent meetings and will take confidence from that.
A key part of the world No. 2’s success has been her ability to adapt to match conditions. She fell just short against Sabalenka at Indian Wells and will be eager to gain revenge this time.
With a 21-1 record in 2026 and a nine-match winning streak, Sabalenka has momentum on her side. The question is whether she can retain her composure when the pressure rises in key stages.
MORE: Elena Rybakina Says ‘Tough’ Aryna Sabalenka Rivalry Forces Her To Improve Weaknesses
Rybakina will certainly give Sabalenka a fight like no other player has managed this year. But we are backing the world No. 1 to continue her ruthless streak on Thursday. Make sure to simulate this match and others with the help of PFSN’s Tennis Simulator.
Pick: Sabalenka to win in three sets.
