Top seeds Zverev, Sabalenka advance at Miami Open

Agency :

World Number One Aryna Sabalenka reached the last 16 at the Miami Open when Elena-Gabriela Ruse retired injured on Saturday, while men’s top seed Alexander Zverev beat Jacob Fearnley 6-2, 6-4 to reach the third round.

Sabalenka, who arrived in Miami fresh off a loss in last week’s Indian Wells final, wrapped up the first set 6-1 before Romanian Ruse was forced to retire with a right thigh injury.

Up next for three-times Grand Slam champion Sabalenka will be the winner of Saturday’s night match on Grandstand between American defending Miami champion Danielle Collins and Swiss qualifier Rebeka Masarova.

Naomi Osaka won 7-6(6) 3-6 6-4 against American wild card Hailey Baptiste to set up a clash with Italian sixth seed Jasmine Paolini, who advanced when Ons Jabeur, trailing 4-3 in the opening set, had to retire with a left leg injury.

Osaka, who returned to action in January 2024 after a 15-month break during which she had a baby, said her fitness level is better now than it was in 2021 when she won the most recent of her four Grand Slam titles.

“I feel like I’m better than 2021. You know, COVID really set me back, I’m not going to lie.

I was in the house doing nothing,” said Osaka. “But yeah, fitness-wise definitely the best I’ve been in a couple of years, for sure.”

Third seed Coco Gauff also progressed with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Greece’s Maria Sakkari.

On the men’s side, Zverev looked comfortable against British qualifier Fearnley as the German mixed a solid serve with dominance from the baseline while saving the only two break points he faced during the 74-minute match.