World number one Aryna Sabalenka moved into the last 16 of the Miami Open on Saturday after her opponent, Elena-Gabriela Ruse, retired due to injury. Sabalenka had won the first set 6-1 when Ruse pulled out with a thigh injury. The Belarusian, who recently lost the Indian Wells final, will now face American and defending Miami champion Danielle Collins.
Former world number one Naomi Osaka also advanced after a hard-fought win over American wildcard Hailey Baptiste, 7-6(6), 3-6, 6-4. She will next play Italian sixth seed Jasmine Paolini, who progressed after Ons Jabeur retired with a leg injury.
Osaka, who returned to tennis in 2024 after a 15-month break to have a baby, said she feels fitter now than she did in 2021 when she last won a Grand Slam. “Fitness-wise, I’m definitely the best I’ve been in years,” she said.
Third seed Coco Gauff had a solid 6-2, 6-4 win over Maria Sakkari, while Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen defeated Taylor Townsend 6-1, 7-6(3). American Ashlyn Krueger caused an upset by beating 26th seed Leylah Fernandez and will now face Zheng.
On the men’s side, top seed Alexander Zverev comfortably beat British qualifier Jacob Fearnley 6-2, 6-4 to reach the third round. It was Zverev’s 145th Masters 1000 win, setting a new German record, surpassing Tommy Haas. He now faces Australia’s Jordan Thompson.
Jack Draper, who won Indian Wells, was knocked out by Czech youngster Jakub Mensik 7-6(2), 7-6(3). Fans were upset when Joao Fonseca’s match was moved to the main court, but the Brazilian teenager delighted the crowd by beating Ugo Humbert 6-4, 6-3.
Elsewhere, Reilly Opelka came from behind to defeat Holger Rune 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5), and with Draper, Alcaraz and Medvedev already out, none of the Indian Wells semi-finalists remain in the Miami men’s draw.
Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong pulled off a surprise win over 13th seed Ben Shelton, winning 7-6(3), 2-6, 7-6(5). Denis Shapovalov and Taylor Fritz also advanced and will meet in the third round.
