World number one Aryna Sabalenka breezes into Miami Open quarter-finals

The reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka defeated Zheng Qinwen in just an hour and 25 minutes to advance into the quarter-finals of the Miami Open.

Sabalenka, who has won the US Open in the past two years, will face Hailey Baptiste in the next round after a comfortable victory over her Chinese opponent. Baptiste secured her spot by beating Latvian Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets.

Meanwhile, fourth seed Coco Gauff also moved into the quarter-finals with a tough three-set win over Sorana Cirstea. Despite a shaky performance with multiple double faults and breaks of serve, Gauff managed to pull through and set up a clash with either Amanda Anisimova or Belinda Bencic.

As the Miami tournament is Gauff’s home event, she expressed her desire to win the title but emphasized that she is not putting too much pressure on herself this year.

After facing a setback due to a nerve issue in her left arm at Indian Wells, Gauff remains focused on enjoying the support of the home crowd and taking each match as it comes.

“I don’t really feel pressure, I feel more supported at this event,” Gauff stated. “I want to win this tournament so bad because it is my home tournament. But I didn’t have the best preparation, so setting expectations lower allows me to free up and not expect too much of myself.”