World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka stormed into the quarter-finals of the Miami Open as she swept aside Zheng Qinwen in straight sets on Monday.
Sabalenka beat her Chinese opponent 6-3 6-4 to set up a clash with Hailey Baptiste, who knocked out Jeļena Ostapenko on Sunday.
The world No 1’s only defeat so far in 2026 came to Elena Rybakina during the Australian Open final, Sabalenka having since won nine matches in a row including her triumph at Indian Wells.
“Right now I can say I feel a good six or seven, a good seven (out of 10),” Sabalenka told Sky Sports.
“It was a quick transition because of the weather I didn’t have as much time to prepare as good as I could but happy that through all the matches I’ve played here I feel better and better.
“Rhythm is back, serve is back, I definitely feel much better. She’s a fighter, I knew she’d bring it all until the last point.”
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Jessica Pegula overcame Jaqueline Cristian 6-4 6-1 and will now face either Rybakina or Talia Gibson.
Coco Gauff meanwhile reached her first Miami Open quarter-final thanks to a 6-3 4-6 6-2 win over Sorana Cirstea, setting up a meeting with the winner of Belinda Bencic and Amanda Anisimova.
“I guess it wouldn’t have to happen any other way than to put some work in,” said Gauff post-match. “I think in the previous times I’ve played here, I’ve had some tough matches. Maybe mentally wasn’t in there. Today I just wanted to stay mentally in there.”
Earlier in the day rising Canadian star Victoria Mboko continued her ascent with a 7-6(4) 4-6 6-0 win over Mirra Andreeva to reach the last eight.
She will now face Karolina Muchova for a place in the semis after the Czech’s 6-0 6-2 win over Alexandra Eala.
Medvedev beaten by Cerundolo
Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo advanced to the fourth round of the men’s draw with a 6-0 4-6 7-5 win over 10th-ranked Daniil Medvedev.
The 27-year-old will next face Ugo Humbert, whom he defeated at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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Medvedev, who recently ended Carlos Alcaraz’s 16-match winning streak in Indian Wells, fell to 19-5 on the season.
Cerundolo dominated the opening set before Medvedev rallied to force a decider. In the third, Medvedev saved four break points at 3-4, but Cerundolo earned a late break and closed out the match with strong forehand play after two hours, 17 minutes.
Frances Tiafoe meanwhile knocked out defending champion Jakub Mensik in a 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(11) win after saving two match points in the pair’s third-set tiebreak.
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