Sabalenka and Paolini Secure Semi-Final Spots at Miami Open World number one Aryna Sabalenka powered into the semi-finals of the Miami Open with a commanding 6-2, 7-5 victory over China’s Zheng Qinwen on Tuesday. Despite facing a tough challenge in the second set, the Belarusian star maintained her composure to claim her first-ever semi-final berth in Miami. Sabalenka appeared to be in complete control as she breezed through the opening set, showcasing her signature aggressive play and powerful baseline shots. However, Zheng, the tournament’s ninth seed, regrouped during the set break and came out with renewed intensity. She broke Sabalenka twice early in the second set to establish a 4-2 lead, putting the world number one under serious pressure. At a crucial moment, Sabalenka found herself trailing 0-40 but managed to rally back, holding her serve to level the score at 4-4. She then turned her frustration into motivation, unleashing a series of blistering returns to break Zheng and go 6-5 ahead. With her dominant serve back in full force, Sabalenka held her next service game to seal the win. Reflecting on her victory, Sabalenka acknowledged the tough battle against Zheng. "Honestly, every match against her is difficult. I always have to work really hard to win, and today was no exception," she said. "I'm super happy with the way I managed my emotions and handled the pressure." Sabalenka will now face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the semi-finals, after the sixth seed secured a 6-3, 6-2 win over Poland’s Magda Linette earlier in the day. Paolini, who previously reached the finals at Wimbledon and the French Open last year, became the first Italian woman to reach the last four in Miami. She needed just 77 minutes to dispatch Linette, who had earned her spot in the quarter-finals with an upset win over Coco Gauff. Despite a lengthy delay due to heavy rain, Paolini came out strong and dominated from the outset. She is now aiming for her second WTA 1000 title after her breakthrough triumph in Dubai last year. “I didn’t play badly this season, but I just didn’t get the results I was hoping for,” Paolini said after the match. “I was facing strong opponents and losing close matches, but I kept believing. Maybe I just needed a little more confidence, and I’ve found it here.” The remaining quarter-finals will take place on Wednesday, featuring some exciting matchups. Second-seed Iga Swiatek will take on Alexandra Eala, the teenage wildcard from the Philippines who has already stunned Australian Open champion Madison Keys. Meanwhile, Britain’s Emma Raducanu, enjoying her best tournament run since winning the US Open in 2021, will go up against American fourth-seed Jessica Pegula. With Sabalenka and Paolini securing their spots, the Miami Open is heating up as the battle for the prestigious title continues.