Sabalenka & Gauff Reach Miami Open Quarterfinals – Results & Updates

Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the quarter-finals of the Miami Open on Wednesday, defeating Qinwen Zheng 6-3, 6-4 in a commanding performance. The world number one, and reigning champion, needed just an hour and 25 minutes to secure the victory.

Sabalenka’s win sets up a quarter-final clash with American Hailey Baptiste, who earlier defeated Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko by the same scoreline, 6-3, 6-4. Baptiste’s victory marks a significant step in her tournament run.

The Belarusian player, who has secured US Open titles in the past two years, demonstrated strong form throughout the match. Her victory over Zheng was a resumption of their rivalry, with Zheng having previously broken a six-match losing streak against Sabalenka with a win in Rome last May, according to reports from earlier in the tournament.

Fourth-seeded Coco Gauff also progressed to the quarter-finals, overcoming Sorana Cirstea of Romania 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. Despite the win, Gauff’s performance was marked by six double faults and five breaks of serve. She will face either Amanda Anisimova or Belinda Bencic in the next round.

Gauff, playing in her home tournament, acknowledged the support she receives but downplayed expectations. Having retired from her third-round match at Indian Wells earlier this month due to a nerve issue in her left arm, she stated, “I don’t really feel pressure, I feel more supported at this event. I want to win this tournament so terrible because It’s my home tournament. But I didn’t have the best preparation, so setting expectations lower allows me to free up and not expect too much of myself.”

Zheng Qinwen had previously secured a victory over Sloane Stephens in the second round of the Miami Open, winning 2-0. She had also faced Antonia Ruzic earlier in the tournament, also winning 2-0, but lost to Elena Rybakina in February.