Elena Rybakina avoided a third-round exit at the Miami Open on Saturday in her match against Paula Badosa. The seventh-ranked Kazakh came from down a set and saved a break point in the second set en route to a 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 win after two hours and 31 minutes of play.
The first set was disastrous for the 10th seed as Badosa raced away in the proceedings. She won only four of her second-serve points of the 18 that were played in total. The Spaniard didn’t fare too well when it came to winning her second-serve points but won seven of the 15 points played on her second serve.
In the second set, Rybakina faced a match point in the 10th game while trying to level the set at five-all. She went on to save it and broke Badosa right back in the 11th game and secured the set on her serve in the 12th game. In the deciding set, Rybakina didn’t face any break points, won 75% of her first-serve points and 87% of her second-serve points to dominate Badosa thoroughly. She also converted two of three break points that came her way on the Spaniard’s serve.
Rybakina finished the match with 60 winners to Badosa’s 16. She also had 56 unforced errors, 25 more than her opponent.
Miami Open: Magda Linette sets maiden encounter against Jessica Pegula
In the fourth round, Rybakina will take on Elise Mertens. The Belgian upset 29th seed Petra Martic 6-4, 6-3 in their round-of-32 clash.
Third seed Jessica Pegula won her third-round American derby against 30th seed Danielle Collins. Pegula clinched a 6-1, 7-6(0) victory after almost an hour and a half. The world no. 3 will take on 20th seed Magda Linette. The Pole continued her breakthrough on the tour by defeating 14th seed and multiple-time Miami Open winner, Victoria Azarenka in their third-round match. Linette needed two hours and 27 minutes to wrap up a 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-4 victory for herself.
Pegula and Linette will be playing each other for the first time in their career at the Miami Open this week.
Photo Credit: The Tennis Letter Twitter
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