Rybakina returns to Miami final, to face Collins

Fourth seed Elena Rybakina has advanced to the Miami Open final for the second year in a row with a gutsy 6-4 0-6 7-6(2) victory over Victoria Azarenka, setting up a showdown against unseeded American Danielle Collins, who upset 14th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3 6-2.

Last year, Petra Kvitova, currently on pregnancy leave, halted Rybakina’s quest for the Sunshine Double, preventing her from capturing consecutive titles in Indian Wells and Miami. Now, Rybakina aims to seize the Miami title as the favorite against former Australian Open runner-up Collins, who is playing her last season on the Hologic WTA Tour.

In Thursday’s semifinals, Rybakina took the first set with a single break but…