Ashlyn Krueger caused a major upset at the Miami Open, securing her first career victory against a Top 10 player by defeating No. 7 seed Elena Rybakina 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in a match lasting 1 hour and 50 minutes.
The World No. 40, who had previously lost all sets in six encounters with Top 10 opponents, overcame an impressive 22-point service game winning streak from Rybakina. Starting from 5-3, 30-15 in the first set until 1-0 in the third, Rybakina didn’t lose a single point on her serve, including a perfect second set.
However, Krueger’s serve was equally effective. The similarities between Krueger and Rybakina have often been noted, with fans playfully calling the 20-year-old American ‘Baby Rybakina’ due to their tall stature and powerful, clean hitting styles, particularly their serves.
Speaking to the press, Krueger laughed upon hearing about the nickname, which she was previously unaware of, suggesting she might be less active online than some other players. However, she acknowledged the reasons for the comparison.
‘Big serves, big returns,’ she commented on their playing styles. ‘I anticipated short points, focusing on serve dominance and gaining the upper hand early in rallies.’
Despite Rybakina’s service streak, Krueger’s serve proved more decisive, winning 81% of her first-serve points compared to Rybakina’s 67%. Krueger elevated her game during crucial moments, breaking Rybakina’s serve streak at 1-1 in the final set and hitting a powerful forehand winner to maintain pressure.
Krueger admitted she wasn’t even aware of Rybakina’s 22-point streak until the press conference, laughing again when informed.
‘I knew her serve was strong, so I just focused on getting the ball back in play,’ she explained.
Two games later, Krueger broke Rybakina’s serve for the first time since the opening set, a crucial lead, especially after saving a break point in the third set to reach 5-3.
Krueger’s victory is a culmination of her strong start to the 2025 season, which includes WTA 500 quarterfinal appearances in Brisbane and Adelaide, and her first WTA 500 final in Abu Dhabi in February. She has now reached a career-high ranking and is excited to continue her momentum on home ground.
‘It confirms that my hard work is paying off and translating to on-court performance, which is all I can ask for,’ she said. Her next opponent is No. 26 seed Leylah Fernandez, who overcame a 5-3 first-set deficit to defeat Alycia Parks 7-6(1), 6-3. Krueger holds a 2-1 head-to-head record against Fernandez, including a thrilling quarterfinal win in Abu Dhabi.
