Aryna Sabalenka equals Serena Williams record after beating Qinwen Zheng to reach the Miami Open semi-finals

Aryna Sabalenka Matches Serena Williams’ Record with Miami Open Semi-Final Berth

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka secured her first-ever Miami Open semi-final appearance with a straight-sets victory over Qinwen Zheng. Despite her dominant display, the Belarusian admitted she faced unexpected challenges during the match.

After a dip in form during the Middle Eastern swing, Sabalenka has bounced back, demonstrating the level that earned her three Grand Slam titles. With her consistent deep runs, she has now joined an elite group of WTA legends.

Sabalenka Joins Serena, Graf, and Hingis in Exclusive Club

By reaching the semi-finals in Miami, Sabalenka has achieved a feat previously accomplished by only three other WTA World No. 1s—Steffi Graf, Serena Williams, and Martina Hingis. All three players made the semi-finals or better at the Australian Open, Indian Wells, and Miami in the same season, with Graf being the only one to win all three titles in a single year.

Sabalenka vs. Serena: A Past Encounter

While Sabalenka is often compared to Williams, the two faced off just once in their careers—at the 2021 Australian Open. Despite being the higher-ranked player, Sabalenka fell to the 23-time Grand Slam champion in a tight three-set battle. Williams later reflected on the match, acknowledging Sabalenka’s power but emphasizing her own ability to handle it.

Sabalenka now aims to capture her first Miami Open title, with her next challenge coming against Jasmine Paolini in the semi-finals. As she continues her dominant run, fans eagerly anticipate whether she can go all the way and cement her place among the sport’s greats.