Photo Source: TC
Aryna Sabalenka made it a perfect 6-0 against China’s Zheng Qinwen on Tuesday at the Miami Open.
Sabalenka, who has dropped just one set against the No.1 Chinese in those six meetings, reached the Miami semifinals for the first time and will face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini for a spot in the final.
Sabalenka converted seven of 12 break points as she completed her 21st victory of the season. The first set was relatively uncomplicated, with the 26-year-old rifling through the final four games of the set from 2-2, but the second set was a more tense affair.
Zheng led 4-2 with three break points for 5-2 but she could not convert and was reeled back in by the three-time major champion, who won five of the final six games to finish off the victory in one hour and 37 minutes.
Sabalenka is bidding for her 17th WTA hard court title (of 19 overall), and owns a 3-2 lifetime record over Paolini.
Paolini took out Poland’s Magda Linette earlier on Tuesday, 6-3, 6-2.