Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina can win the Sunshine Double, according to tennis legend Martina Navratilova.
Martina, an 18-time singles Grand Slam champion, is supporting Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina as they attempt the extraordinary achievement of winning both the Miami Open and Indian Wells in the same calendar year. By breaking Daniil Medvedev’s 19-match winning streak in the final, Alcaraz captured his maiden Indian Wells championship and passed Novak Djokovic to reclaim the top rank.
The 19-year-old is aware that he must defend his Miami Open crown in order to become the eighth person to complete the sunshine double and remain at the top of the rankings. Little over a week ago, Rybakina won her first Indian Wells championship by defeating Aryna Sabalenka in retaliation for her loss to her in the Australian Open final.
About Alcarz and Rybakina to win Miami
Navratilova commented: “You have to go with Alcaraz and Rybakina. I think they have a really good shot at winning the ‘Sunshine Double’.
They both have a shot at it. They are the players to beat. Rybakina is in form and healthy.”
Talking about Carlitos, Martina added: “Now healthy, I don’t know how he fixed that leg but he did and he’s looking very, very sharp.”
Alcaraz in Miami, ranking, and results in 2023
Ranked world no.1, Carlos has a 16-1 record in 2023. The Spaniard is now competing in Miami where he ousted the world no.100 Facundo Bagnis 6-0 6-2 and the world no.76 Dusan Lajovic 6-0 7-65.
Carlos Alcaraz will fight against the world no.19 Tommy Paul in the 4th round on Tuesday at 4:30 pm on STADIUM. Their current head to head is 1-0 for Paul.
The Spaniard has won 2 titles in 2023 in Buenos Aires and Indian Wells. Carlos was the runner-up in Rio de Janeiro (Rio Open).
The Spaniard won 8 titles in his career: 3 on hard courts and 5 on clay courts. (See the list of his titles)
He is also scheduled to play in Barcelona (Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell). The main draw will start on the 17th of April.
Rybakina in Miami, ranking, and results in 2023
Currently ranked no.7 (career-high), the Kazakhstani has achieved a compiled 19-4 win-loss record in 2023. Rybakina is currently having a run in Miami where she conquered the world no.64 Anna Kalinskaya 7-5 4-6 6-3, the world no.29 Paula Badosa Gibert 3-6 7-5 6-3 and the world no.39 Elise Mertens 6-4 6-3.
Elena Rybakina will come up against the world no.24 Martina Trevisan in the quarter on Tuesday at 2:00 pm on STADIUM. They have never competed against each other up to now in top tournaments.
The Kazakhstani has won 1 title in 2023 in Indian Wells. Elena got to the final at the Australian Open.
Elena won 4 titles in her career: 2 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of her titles)
Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina |
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