World number one Aryna Sabalenka and third-seeded Coco Gauff advanced with ease in their second-round matches at the Miami Open on Thursday, while seventh-seeded Elena Rybakina was unexpectedly knocked out by American Ashlyn Krueger.
Sabalenka dominated Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova with a 6-3, 6-0 win in just 58 minutes. Despite her loss in the Indian Wells final, Sabalenka showed little sign of struggle, though she acknowledged the adjustment to the conditions in Miami. “It was tricky with the conditions, but I’m happy with the performance today,” Sabalenka said.
Meanwhile, Gauff made quick work of 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, crushing her 6-0, 6-0 in only 47 minutes. Gauff attributed her strong performance to everything falling into place. “I was definitely playing well today, and maybe she wasn’t playing her peak great tennis,” said Gauff.
In a shocking upset, 20-year-old Texan Ashlyn Krueger defeated Rybakina, the 2023 Miami Open finalist, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in 1 hour and 50 minutes, marking her first win over a top-10 opponent.
Defending champion Danielle Collins survived a tense battle against Romanian Sorana Cirstea, winning 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), while 2022 Miami finalist Naomi Osaka cruised past 24th seed Liudmila Samsonova, 6-2, 6-4. Osaka will meet American wildcard Halley Baptiste, who scored a 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 win over 12th-seeded Daria Kasatkina.
In the men’s draw, Brazilian Joao Fonseca fought through to a 6-7 (1/7), 6-3, 6-4 win over Learner Tien, with the crowd cheering him on. Fonseca praised his opponent but credited the Brazilian support for his success.
American Reilly Opelka also advanced with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) win over Christopher Eubanks, continuing his unbeaten head-to-head record.
