Miami (USA) – Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka’s confusing week ended with an unexpected defeat in the third round of the WTA 1000 in Miami. The number 2 in the world, who learned of the death of her ex-boyfriend shortly before her debut, faced a game with a lot of variation from the Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina, was full of mistakes – there were 55 in total – and ended up eliminated by 6/4, 1 /6 and 6/1.
Kazakh Elena Rybakina also had a lot of work. After firmly winning the first set over left-hander Taylor Townsend, 6/3, the world number 4 lost the tiebreak of the second set 7-3 and then had to play a decisive series of ups and downs, in which she opened 2 /0, allowed a reaction and only obtained the definitive break in the 10th and final game, therefore closing by 6/4.
Kalinina played a tactically very smart game, changing rhythms all the time. She lifted balls, sliced, played short shots and went to the net, leaving Sabalenka uncomfortable, to the point of making twice as many errors (24 to 12) in the first set. The runner-up in the rankings came back more patient in the second set, but the break she suffered in the second game of the third set seemed to take away her confidence. The Ukrainian reached 4/0, then 5/1 and completed the task to now face fellow Kazakh Yulia Putintseva. Sabalenka destroyed the racket and received no greeting.
With 16 aces and three double faults, Rybakina only hit 48% of her first serve in the third set, but had return errors from Bia Haddad’s doubles partner. The Kazakh will now face local Madison Keys, who beat Chinese Xinyu Wang, 6/4 and 7/6 (7-5).
Sakkari maintains momentum, Jabeur out
Finalist in Indian Wells on Sunday, Greek Maria Sakkari continues her recovery process and is also in the round of 16 in Miami. The victory was in two demanding sets against Dayana Yastremska, with partials of 7/5 and 6/4. The world number 9 faces Anna Kalinskaya, who easily beat Jelena Ostapenko, 6/3 and 6/1.
The one who continues to be in a negative phase is the Tunisian Ons Jabeur. The sixth in the ranking suffered her third defeat in consecutive opening games, repeating Doha and Indian Wells, when she fell to Russian Elina Avanesyan, 6/1, 4/6 and 6/3. Jabeur has only won two games this season. The good Avanesyan will try to get into the round of 16 against Danielle Collins in a match that takes place this Sunday.
