Bianca Andreescu makes a comeback against Maria Sakkari at Miami Open, Andrey Rublev also advances
Canadian tennis player Bianca Andreescu makes a remarkable comeback against Greek Maria Sakkari at the Miami Open, while Russia’s Andrey Rublev advances after a tough battle against American J.J. Wolf.
In a three-hour match, 22-year-old Andreescu defeated Sakkari 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the third round. Despite struggling with injuries and form in recent years, Andreescu showed her fighting spirit and denied Sakkari any chance to find her rhythm.
In the first set, Sakkari got the upper hand with a superb passing shot to break Andreescu for a 4-3 lead. However, the Canadian fought back to level at 4-4 and staved off two break points she faced in the next game to pull ahead. Sakkari held serve after falling behind 15-30 and went up another break before closing out the 63-minute set on her serve with a forehand down the line.
Andreescu’s Victory
In the second set, Andreescu held to love to open and then consolidated a break for a 4-1 lead en route to forcing a decider. She went up a double break for another 4-1 lead that she would not surrender, clinching the set and the match.
Andreescu, who is looking for her first title since the 2019 U.S. Open, expressed her happiness in her on-court interview. “Last time I played her I cramped so I’m just super happy that I got through physically,” she said. “It’s the best thing ever. I try to have as much fun as I can and if I am feeling good mentally and physically it’s just a bonus.”
In the men’s draw, sixth seed Rublev had a tough battle against Wolf but secured a 7-6(3) 6-4 win. Rublev was broken in the opening game against Wolf and trailed for much of the first set. However, he fired 16 aces in the match and was a threat from the baseline.
Other Results
In other early action, Spanish 22nd seed Roberto Bautista Agut fell 6-4 7-6(5) to Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori, while Canada’s Denis Shapovalov beat Argentine Guido Pella 6-3, 6-3.
Defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz, who arrived in Miami looking to back up his Indian Wells title and complete the “Sunshine Double,” will cap the afternoon session on Stadium court with a second-round clash against Facundo Bagnis. Spanish top seed Alcaraz, who did not drop a set at Indian Wells, must retain his Miami crown to stay ahead of Serbian Novak Djokovic and hold onto top spot in the rankings. Overall, it was an action-packed day at the Miami Open with some exciting matches and impressive performances from top players.
