“She played great, but I pushed her so much, so I’m proud with this win,” Sabalenka added. “It’s always tough, physically and mentally, and I’m happy to get another win against her.”
The 27-year-old will face another one of her great rivals in the final in the form of No. 3 seed Coco Gauff. The pair have split 12 career meetings, but Gauff owns a 2-1 head-to-head lead in championship matches.
Gauff says she wants to win this title, something of a hometown tournament for the Delray Beach, Fla. native, just as much as a Grand Slam. And Sabalenka hopes to be the fifth woman in the Open Era to win Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back.
“A lot of rallies, a lot of emotions, a lot of aggression, a lot of fun,” Sabalenka previewed. “It’s going to be a battle, and I’m super excited to play her in another final.”
