Sabalenka to meet Zheng in high-stakes Miami showdown Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen will face off in the Miami Open Round of 16 after both players advanced with strong performances in their third-round matches. Sabalenka defeated Caty McNally in straight sets, while Zheng staged a remarkable comeback against Madison Keys to secure her first victory over a Top 20 player since her return to the WTA Tour following elbow surgery. The clash marks Zheng’s ninth meeting with Sabalenka, with the World No. 1 seeking to extend her winning streak against the Belarusian star. Zheng’s victory over Keys was a pivotal moment in her resurgence. After struggling to keep up with the American’s powerful shots in the first set, Zheng turned the tide in the second and third sets, ultimately prevailing 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. The win marked her first triumph over a Top 20 opponent since Roland Garros in 2025 and highlighted her improved form following her recovery. Zheng, who had previously lost her first six matches against Sabalenka, now aims to break that losing streak and end the World No. 1’s bid for a second consecutive Miami title. Sabalenka’s path to the Round of 16 was more methodical. She dominated McNally, winning 10 of the last 12 games in a 6-4, 6-2 victory. The Belarusian star showcased her ability to control rallies, particularly in the second set, where she broke McNally for the third time to seal the match. Sabalenka emphasized her focus on maintaining consistency, stating, “I’ll focus on myself. I’ll focus on my game. I’ll try to stay focused from the first point till the last.” Zheng’s comeback against Keys was marked by a dramatic turnaround. After trailing 0-40 on serve in the second set, she adjusted her approach and surged ahead, finishing with 31 winners compared to Keys’ 15.#aryna_sabalenka #miami_open #round_of_16 #wta_tour #zheng_qinwen
Speechless: Gibson beats Paolini for first Top 10 win, into first WTA quarterfinal Talia Gibson, an Australian qualifier, secured her first top 10 victory and advanced to her first WTA Tour quarterfinal by defeating No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini in three sets at the BNP Paribas Open. The 21-year-old player, ranked outside the top 100, became the first qualifier in 11 years to reach the quarterfinals at Indian Wells, a prestigious WTA 1000 event. Gibson’s triumph came after a hard-fought three-set match, with the scores reading 7-5, 2-6, 6-1. The victory marked her first win over a top 10 opponent and added to her previous two Top 20 wins at the tournament, against Clara Tauson and Ekaterina Alexandrova. This success propelled her into the semifinals, where she will face Linda Noskova. Gibson expressed her disbelief at the achievement, stating, “Yeah, gosh, still haven’t processed it all. I think [I’m] just super proud of what I’ve been able to achieve over these last two weeks. Yeah, honestly, still pretty speechless that I made it this far.” The match saw Gibson dominate the first set, breaking Paolini’s serve to take a 6-5 lead. Her aggressive backhand and forehand winners, combined with precise placement, allowed her to control the rally. Paolini, however, responded strongly in the second set, taking a 3-0 lead and forcing Gibson into errors. The Italian’s drop shots and tactical adjustments disrupted Gibson’s rhythm, but the Australian rebounded in the third set with near-flawless backhand returns, sealing the win with two decisive winners. Gibson’s performance highlighted her growth as a player. She recorded 42 winners in the match, with 36 coming in the first and third sets. Her ability to stretch Paolini wide and force weak returns created opportunities for her to capitalize on.#indian_wells #bnpparibas_open #talia_gibson #jasmine_paolini #wta_tour
