Sabalenka, Sinner see ‘Sunshine’

MIAMI — World No. 1 and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka subdued second-ranked rival Elena Rybakina 6-4, 6-3 on Thursday to book a Miami Open title clash with American Coco Gauff.

Sabalenka, who fell to Rybakina in the Australian Open final before turning the tables on the Kazakh in the Indian Wells title match this month, broke the big-serving Rybakina twice in each set to come out on top and keep her bid for the “Sunshine Double” of Indian Wells and Miami on track.

Men’s world No. 2 Jannik Sinner, who like Sabalenka lifted his first Indian Wells title two weeks ago, also advanced, dominating American Frances Tiafoe 6-2, 6-2 to reach the men’s semifinals.

Their victories mean both the ATP and WTA could see a “Sunshine Double” in the same year for the first time since Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka swept the two prestigious hardcourt tournaments back in 2016.

Sabalenka, who had to save a match point in overcoming Rybakina in the Indian Wells final, applied ruthless pressure on Rybakina’s serve while delivering a sterling service performance that featured nine aces – including four in a row across the seventh and ninth games of the opening set.

“I think I did everything right,” the Belarusian said.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Sinner needed just 71 minutes to dispatch Tiafoe and set up a semifinal meeting with fourth-ranked German Alexander Zverev – who swept past 19th-ranked Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo 6-1, 6-2 in just 65 minutes.