MIAMI — The opening days of the Miami Open have been relatively calm compared to the usual frenzy of March Madness.
While unexpected outcomes can be entertaining and change is a constant, the men’s semifinals from Indian Wells saw all four competitors eliminated in their first matches here in South Florida. In contrast, the leading female players mostly maintained their strong performances.
However, on Sunday, a remarkable upset occurred when Filipino teenager Alexandra Eala defeated Australian Open champion Madison Keys in straight sets. This victory marked a significant moment, as Eala has now achieved three main-draw wins in Miami, surpassing all players from the Philippines in the Open Era. Keys, ranked No. 5 by the PIF WTA, had a ranking 135 spots above Eala.
At the conclusion of Sunday’s matches, the Sweet 16 lineup featured many familiar names. Five of the top six seeds—Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Jasmine Paolini—remain in contention, alongside defending champion Danielle Collins, four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, and 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu.
All eight Round of 16 matches are set for Monday. If you’re working remotely, it might be a good time to request a sick day to catch the action.
Highlights from Week 1
Coco Gauff’s Impressive Shutout
Coco Gauff achieved a stunning 6-0, 6-0 victory over Sofia Kenin, marking her second tour-level shutout after her win against Arantxa Rus in Madrid. She continued her success with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Maria Sakkari and remained focused on her performance. “I didn’t want to think about it,” Gauff noted, recalling the rarity of such outcomes.
Match of the Week
Naomi Osaka triumphed in a nail-biting third-round match against qualifier Hailey Baptiste, winning 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-4. Baptiste battled hard, reaching deuce while serving to equalize the third set at 5-all, but Osaka clinched the match by winning the final two points. The match lasted nearly three hours, showcasing Osaka’s resilience, especially after her return from a 15-month maternity leave.
Emerging Talent
Amidst Eala’s impressive performance, 18-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko celebrated her first tour-level victory over Camila Osorio. Though she lost to No. 10 seed Paula Badosa in a tense third-set tiebreak, Mboko boasts an impressive season record of 28-2, which includes five ITF titles.
Notable Statistics
Interesting Fact
A notable statistic shared by Nicolò Tonato reveals that when Emma Navarro faced Emma Raducanu, it was the inaugural matchup between players sharing the same name at the Miami Open since 2008. Additionally, Iga Swiatek has remarkably reached the Round of 16 in 25 consecutive WTA 1000 events since the format’s inception in 2009.
Upcoming Matches
The Miami Open schedule for Monday promises an exciting day featuring numerous star players. Key matches include:
- No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka vs. No. 14 Danielle Collins
- No. 2 Iga Swiatek vs. No. 22 Elina Svitolina
- No. 3 Coco Gauff vs. Magda Linette
- No. 4 Jessica Pegula vs. No. 23 Marta Kostyuk
- No. 6 Jasmine Paolini vs. Naomi Osaka
- No. 9 Zheng Qinwen vs. Ashlyn Krueger
- No. 10 Paula Badosa vs. Alexandra Eala
- No. 17 Amanda Anisimova vs. Emma Raducanu
