Elena Rybakina came ever so close to winning her second title of the year at Indian Wells.
Rybakina reached the final, but lost an absolute classic to world number one Aryna Sabalenka, which was decided by a thrilling deciding tie-break.
The world number two has played some of her best tennis in Miami previously, despite never winning the event.
Rybakina has been tipped to struggle in Miami, but she believes the conditions in Florida could suit her game.
Elena Rybakina is confident ahead of the Miami Open
Rybakina heads to Miami in good form, having reached the final of Indian Wells, and she believes she has a good chance of winning the event.
Speaking in a pre tournament interview, she said: “The city has a lot of nice restaurants and a lot of things to do. And generally I like Miami, the atmosphere and the courts.”
Rybakina believes the quicker courts in Miami could help her, especially in comparison to the slower speed at Indian Wells.
“They are a bit faster than Indian Wells, which is good for my game, so I am super excited to be here,” she added.
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“I have twice been very close to getting the title so that gives more motivation and hunger to finally get to the title.”
Rybakina reached the finals in 2023 and 2024, losing to Petra Kvitova and Danielle Collins, respectively, in straight sets.
Nevertheless, Rybakina believes her recent form gives her a major chance to claim the Masters event for the first time.
“It’s going to be a difficult tournament for sure but I will try my best to get to the very end. I think we have put in a lot of work with the team and all the things clicked together.
“We are still trying to improve. There are a lot of things to work on but for now I am happy. There are a lot of positives from each tournament that we can take.
“It was a very tough final, a very close one, and I just hope that I continue like this throughout the year and I am going to play many more.”
Rybakina has made an exceptional start to the season, having won the Australian Open and reached the final of Indian Wells.
She is the current world number two, having dislodged Iga Swiatek from the position, which is a career ranking high.
Elena Rybakina could face some of the sport’s brightest talents in Miami
Play at the Miami Open has been stalled by the bad weather in Florida, so Rybakina still doesn’t know who her second round opponent will be.
However, she has been drawn in the same section of the draw as some of tennis’ most talented young stars.
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A potential second round match with Janice Tjen could be on the cards, with the Indonesian star playing Yulia Putintseva in the first round.
Rybakina has also been drawn in the same section of the draw as Abu Dhabi winner Sára Bejlek, Australian rising star Talia Gibson, and Argentine starlet Solana Sierra.
If Rybakina can navigate her way through the latter stages of the tournament, she will be given more than an insight into the future of the sport.
