World number one, Aryna Sabalenka has reached the quarterfinals of the Miami Open after defeating Zheng Qinwen in straight sets 6–3, 6–4 at Hard Rock Stadium.
In the first set (6–3), Sabalenka played with power and confidence, breaking Zheng’s serve early to take control.
The second set (6–4) was more competitive as Zheng improved her level, but Sabalenka stayed strong on the key points and closed out the match.
Speaking after the win, she said she’s a tough opponent, and I’m super happy with the level I played at today. “I feel like I’m getting better, serving better, and adapting to the conditions, which are tricky, but I’m feeling more and more comfortable with each match.”
Sabalenka won the Miami Open last year, defeating Jessica Pegula in the final to claim her first singles title, and the way things are looking, she could take the title again this year.
The 27-year-old will next face Hailey Baptiste, and this will be their first meeting, as the two have never played each other on the WTA Tour before.
Baptiste started playing in professional competitions as a teenager on the ITF Circuit, and she made her WTA main-draw debut in 2019 at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C. Since then, she has won several ITF singles and doubles titles but she has not yet won a WTA Tour title.
