​Viktoria Azarenka and Olena Rybakina have reached the semi-finals of the WTA in Miami (1000 category tournament) and will fight for entry to the grand final of the competition in Florida.

Victoria Azarenka against Olena Rybakina, in the first semi-final of WTA Miami

Azarenka, who is ranked 32nd in the world and 27th favorite in Miami, had a tense match against Yulia Putintseva. As a result, the match lasted for three hours, and the victory took place after three sets with a score of 7-6(7), 1-6, 6-3.

The result of the match between Victoria Azarenka and Yulia Putintseva

Olena Rybakina also made it to the semifinals. Seeded fourth in Miami, Rybakina had a tough match against eighth seed Maria Sakkari.

After the first set, which was won by Olena (score 7-5), Sakkari responded with a set in which she won on a tie-break (7-4). The decisive match was also balanced, and in the end Rybakina won with a score of 6-4.

The result of the match between Olena Rybakina and Maria Sakkari

Two Grand Slam winners will meet in the first WTA semifinal in Miami: Azarenka won the Australian Open in 2012 and 2013, and Rybakina won Wimbledon in 2022.

During that time, Rybakin and Azarenka met three times, and each time Olena won.

Dubai, 2024: 4-6, 6-2 reject Azarenka

Australian Open, 2023: 7-6(4), 6-3 for Rybakina

Indian Wells, 2022: 6-3, 6-4 for Rybakina

The WTA 1000 category tournament will be held in Miami from March 19 to 31. The game is played on a hard surface and the total prize money awarded is $8,995,555. The champion of the overall title is Petra Kvitova (she is pregnant and will not participate in this year’s edition).