Tennis

In a stunning upset, eleventh-seeded Grigor Dimitrov dethroned top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-4 in the Miami Open quarterfinals, marking his first victory over a top-five player in nearly five years. Dimitrov's triumph sets up a semifinal clash with fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev, who defeated unseeded Fabian Marozsan 6-3, 7-5.Alcaraz, the reigning champion, struggled to find his rhythm against Dimitrov's aggressive play. The Bulgarian broke Alcaraz's serve twice in the first set, taking it 6-2. In the second set, Alcaraz rallied back from a 4-2 deficit, breaking Dimitrov at love and holding serve to level the set at 4-4. However, Dimitrov regained control, winning the final two games to seal the victory.This win marks a significant milestone for Dimitrov, who had not defeated a top-five player since his victory over Roger Federer in the 2019 US Open quarterfinals. It also boosts his confidence ahead of the upcoming clay-court season, where he has historically performed well.On the women's side, fourth-seeded Elena Rybakina battled through a grueling three-set match against No. 27 Victoria Azarenka, ultimately prevailing 6-4, 0-6, 7-6 (2) in the semifinals. Rybakina will face either No. 14 Ekaterina Alexandrova or unseeded Danielle Collins in the final.Rybakina, ranked fourth on the WTA Tour, has been pushed to three sets in all but one match this tournament. Despite the physical toll, she remains determined to capture her third title of the year.

Elena Rybakina, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, is on the cusp of claiming her maiden Miami Open title after a hard-fought victory over former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka in the semifinals. The Kazakh star overcame a second-set setback and a late surge from Azarenka to prevail 6-4, 0-6, 7-6 (2) in a thrilling encounter that lasted over two and a half hours.Rybakina, who has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, started the match strongly, breaking Azarenka's serve in the opening set. However, the Belarusian responded with a dominant second set, winning it to love. The third set was a tense affair, with both players trading breaks. Rybakina eventually regained her composure and won the tiebreaker 7-2 to seal the victory."It was an unbelievable atmosphere," Rybakina said after the match. "I really enjoyed it. It was such a tough battle. For me, this tournament has been a marathon since Day 1, and I'm really happy I made it to the final."Rybakina's victory sets up a championship clash against either Ekaterina Alexandrova or Danielle Collins. The Kazakh has a 4-0 record against Azarenka and will be confident of extending her winning streak in the final.

Three-time Miami Open champion Victoria Azarenka and fourth-seeded Elena Rybakina battled through grueling matches to secure their spots in the semi-finals. Azarenka, 34, overcame a spirited challenge from Yulia Putintseva, winning 7-6 (7/4), 1-6, 6-3. Rybakina, 24, held off a strong performance from eighth-seed Maria Sakkari of Greece, emerging victorious with a 7-5, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4 scoreline.Azarenka's victory was hard-fought, as she faced a determined Putintseva and a technical disruption that halted the match for 45 minutes. Despite saving three set points in the first set, Azarenka lost the second set before finding her rhythm in the third. Putintseva refused to give up, fighting off match point before breaking, but Azarenka held on to secure her place in the last four.Rybakina's match against Sakkari was equally intense, lasting over two hours and 48 minutes. Rybakina led in the first set but Sakkari's service faltered at a crucial moment, allowing the Kazakh to break and take the set. Sakkari fought back in the second set, but Rybakina's resilience shone through as she won the tie-break. Despite an apparent ankle problem, Rybakina broke Sakkari at 3-3 in the third set and held on to close out the match.Azarenka and Rybakina will now face off in the semi-finals, with the winner advancing to the final. Azarenka is seeking her fourth Miami title, while Rybakina is aiming to improve on her runner-up finish from last year.

Coco Gauff, the reigning US Open champion, suffered a disappointing exit from the Miami Open on Monday, falling to Caroline Garcia in three sets. Garcia, seeded 23rd, displayed impressive form to defeat Gauff 6-3, 1-6, 6-2, marking her second consecutive victory over a Grand Slam champion after ousting Naomi Osaka on Sunday.Garcia expressed her delight at the triumph, acknowledging the significance of defeating a top-10 opponent like Gauff. She credited her support team for their unwavering positivity and motivation during challenging times.Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina, the fourth seed, advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Madison Keys. Rybakina will face Maria Sakkari, who received a walkover after Anna Kalinskaya withdrew due to injury.Victoria Azarenka, a two-time Australian Open winner, also secured a quarterfinal berth with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Katie Boulter. Yulia Putintseva joined the quarterfinalists after defeating Anhalina Kalinina in straight sets.World No. 1 Iga Swiatek and fifth seed Jessica Pegula were scheduled to play later on Monday.On the men's side, Alexander Zverev, the fourth seed, defeated Christopher Eubanks 7-6 (4), 6-3 to reach the third round. Alex de Minaur, seeded ninth, also advanced with a 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory over Jan-Lennard Struff. Top seed Carlos Alcaraz was set to take the court later in the day.

Madison Keys, the former US Open finalist, is set to face Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, in a highly anticipated round of 16 clash at the Miami Open. Keys has endured a challenging year, sidelined by an injury since October, but has shown signs of recovery in recent matches.Despite a rusty start in Indian Wells, Keys has regained her form in Miami, securing straight-set victories over Diana Shnaider and Wang Xinyu. Her serve and powerful baseline play have been key to her resurgence.Rybakina, on the other hand, has struggled to find her best form in Miami. The Kazakhstani was pushed to three sets by both Clara Tauson and Taylor Townsend, indicating some vulnerability in her game.Keys' ability to punish second serves could prove crucial against Rybakina, who relies heavily on her serve and baseline power. If Keys can maintain her serve and force Rybakina into extended rallies, she has a good chance of covering the 3.5-game spread.The match is likely to be close, with both players possessing similar strengths. Keys' experience and familiarity with the Miami Open could give her an edge. Additionally, the American has a 2-1 record against Rybakina in their previous encounters.While Keys is the underdog, her recent form and matchup against Rybakina make her a compelling pick to cover the spread. The American's determination and home-court advantage could propel her to a memorable victory.

Elena Rybakina Withdraws from BNP Paribas Open Title Defense Due to IllnessWorld No. 4 Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open, the first WTA 1000 event of the season, due to illness. The reigning champion was set to begin her title defense on Friday but was forced to pull out hours before her first match.Rybakina's withdrawal is a significant blow to the tournament, as she entered as the tour's leader in wins this year with 17. She had won titles in Adelaide and Abu Dhabi and reached the final in Doha.Last year, Rybakina stunned the tennis world by defeating world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals and Aryna Sabalenka in the final to claim her first WTA 1000 title. Her victory made her the first Kazakh player to win a WTA 1000 event.Rybakina expressed her disappointment at having to withdraw, saying, "It's with great sadness that I have to withdraw from the BNP Paribas Open. Those close to me know how much this tournament means to me and how much I wanted to come back and defend my title."Prakash Amritraj, a former Indian tennis player and commentator, said Rybakina's withdrawal is a "massive void in the draw" and a "massive opportunity for players in her section."Rybakina's withdrawal has led to a reshuffling of the draw. Argentina's Nadia Podoroska, who was originally scheduled to face Rybakina, will now face American Kayla Day. The match will be played on Stadium 3.The all-American second-round match between Madison Keys and Hailey Baptiste has been moved to Stadium 1 and will be played not before 8:00 p.m. local time.

Elena Rybakina, the WTA Tour's reigning cool-girl, has showcased her impeccable "tenniscore" style in a recent photo shoot in Dubai. The world No. 4, known for her on-court prowess and off-court fashion sense, has embraced the trend that seamlessly blends vintage tennis aesthetics with everyday athleisure.Rybakina's photo shoot, captured by Kazakhstani photographer Timur Uteshbekov, features her in a series of preppy, tennis-inspired looks curated by Dubai-based stylist Azhar Yeleussizova. Against a sunny beach backdrop, she exudes a casual-cool vibe in a white cropped polo-neck jumper and matching pleated skirt from Sandro Paris.The "tenniscore" trend, which peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic, has resurfaced as fashion consumers embrace "quiet luxury" and timeless pieces. Rybakina's outfit exemplifies this aesthetic, with minimal branding and understated accessories taking center stage. She accessorizes with classic black Celine sunglasses, high athletic socks, and white platform Walk'n'Dior sneakers adorned with Christian Dior's signature Plan de Paris motif.Beyond her on-court achievements, Rybakina's style has garnered attention. In 2022, she made a fashion statement at the Wimbledon champion's ball by pairing a delicate white tulle Monique Lhuillier gown with Gucci "Ace" sneakers.The photo shoot serves as a signal to luxury fashion brands that Rybakina is open to collaborations. With the 2024 Paris Olympics approaching, where fashion will play a prominent role, it remains to be seen if she will secure a major maison's sponsorship, following in the footsteps of Carlos Alcaraz (Louis Vuitton), Jannik Sinner (Gucci), and Emma Raducanu (Christian Dior).In the meantime, Rybakina will focus on her title defense at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Despite recent setbacks due to illness, she remains a formidable force on the court, eager to add to her seven career titles.

As the Sunshine Swing approaches, the BNP Paribas Open draw will be unveiled on March 4th. Our experts analyze the players with the most to prove in Indian Wells and Miami.Elena Rybakina:A year after her Indian Wells triumph, Rybakina has shown flashes of brilliance but also inconsistency. Can she sustain her top form over two weeks against elite competition?Jessica Pegula:After a disappointing start to the year, Pegula seeks to reassert herself as a reliable competitor. A victory in Indian Wells or Miami would be a significant milestone for the world No. 5.Carlos Alcaraz:The defending Indian Wells champion faces pressure after early exits in Australia and South America. An injury cloud looms over his participation, but a strong performance could reignite his momentum.Zheng Qinwen:The Chinese star came close to a major title at the Australian Open. With four weeks of hard-court tennis remaining before the summer, she aims to solidify her Top 10 ranking with a breakthrough in Indian Wells or Miami.Taylor Fritz:Despite being the top-ranked American, Fritz has struggled to perform at his best. A solid finish in Indian Wells, where he won in 2022, could boost his confidence and Top 10 status.Stefanos Tsitsipas:The Greek star has fallen out of the Top 10 and needs a deep run in Indian Wells or Miami to regain relevance. Consistent results and quality wins are crucial for his resurgence.Jessica Pegula:Pegula's strong finish in 2023 was followed by a patchy start this year. She aims to regain her form at the WTA 500 in San Diego before the Sunshine Swing.