From MiamiOpen slate Monday was a rough one for Americans at the Miami Open. Six champions suffered elimination during the first round of men's and women's singles. Even through the adversity, it was Taylor Fritz who gave the United States hope with a powerful performance. At 167th in the world, international players, including Emma Raducanu and Magda Linette, were lighting it up on court.
Amanda Anisimova had a difficult task in her quarterfinal against Britain’s Emma Raducanu, who powered past the American to the final, 6-1, 6-3. The win not only improves Raducanu’s record over the past 13 months but secures her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal. She defeated No. 6 Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals, 6-4, 6-4.
Ashlyn Krueger went up against a strong opponent in Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen, falling 6-2, 7-6. Zheng will face Aryna Sabalenka next in her quarterfinal. Her biggest goal is to make the semifinals in Miami, which would be a first!
In a gripping match on the men's side, Frances Tiafoe was narrowly defeated by Arthur Fils in a three-set thriller. Despite cramping issues, Fils fought through and won the match in a thrilling contest culminating with a 7-6, 5-7, 6-2 victory.
"It was very tough. When I got into the third set, I was cramping and I couldn’t find the rhythm anymore," Fils remarked after his hard-fought victory.
Taylor Fritz joined Reilly Opelka as the only American men to win on Monday, taking out Denis Shapovalov 7-5, 6-3. With this win, Fritz has made the fourth round at back-to-back Masters 1000s.
Magda Linette had a similar notable run as well, with victories over Coco Gauff and Danielle Collins by the exact same scoreline of 6-4, 6-4. These victories sent Linette through to her second career WTA 1000 quarterfinal, where she will meet Amanda Anisimova.
“Definitely not happy about it. … Just one of those days when I felt awful in everything on the court,” expressed Coco Gauff following her defeat to Linette.
World No.3 Jessica Pegula kept the American momentum going, breezing through no.57 Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-3. Pegula is into the quarterfinals in Miami for the fourth year in a row.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Aryna Sabalenka. She will meet Zheng Qinwen in the quarterfinals and is eager to reach her first semifinal in Miami.
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