Sabalenka exits Miami, Alcaraz starts in style
MIAMI: A traumatic week for World No 2, Aryna Sabalenka, came to an end with a third-round, three-set loss in the Miami Open to Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina on Saturday.
The 6-4, 1-6, 6-1 win for the 36th ranked Kalinina prompted Sabalenka, who had kept her emotions in check through both of her games at Hard Rock Stadium, to smash her racket violently into the court.
On Friday, she looked in control as she defeated her close friend Paula Badosa of Spain in straight sets. But given the late slot on the main stadium court, Sabalenka looked to be feeling the strain more as she struggled for any kind of consistency.
After losing the opening set, she utterly dominated Kalinina in the second, with her serve and powerful backhand too much for the Ukrainian.
But once Kalinina broke in the third, Sabalenka’s focus and composure deserted her and her opponent took full advantage.
“It’s really tough with nerves. But I managed in the tough moments to deal with it. So I’m a little bit proud of myself today,” said Kalinina.
World No 1 Iga Swiatek had no trouble in beating Italy’s Camila Giorgi 6-2, 6-1 as the rain impacted tournament packed in the big names, including postponed matches from Friday.
Japan’s Noami Osaka continued her increasingly impressive form with a 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) win over 17th ranked Elina Svitolina, in a battle of two women who have returned to the tour after giving birth.
Sixth-seed Ons Jabeur suffered an upset with 21-year-old Russian Elina Avanesyan, ranked 65th in the world, running out a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 winner.
Elena Rybakina moved into the fourth round after a tight tussle with American Taylor Townsend. Townsend, ranked 11th, won a second set tie-break to set up a fiercely contested deciding set before she succumbed with the Kazakh winning 6-3, 6-7 (3/7), 6-4.
In the ATP event, top seed Carlos Alcaraz was simply too much for his compatriot Roberto Carballes Baena as he powered to a 6-2, 6-1 win in 85 minutes.
Like Swiatek, Alcaraz is looking to complete the ‘Sunshine Double’ after his victory in Indian Wells last week and the two-time Grand Slam winner looked in formidable form.
The 20-year-old was on top from the start, powerful from the baseline, but willing to approach the net as he hit 10 winners to one in the opening set.
He saved all three break points that he faced against his 64th ranked opponent, who asked some tough questions at times but usually received an emphatic response. Alcaraz will next face French veteran Gael Monfils, a 67 (3/7), 6-1, 6-2 winner over Australian Jordan Thompson.