Sun returns to Miami as Swiatek chases ‘Sunshine Double’

After two days of rain the solar returned to the Miami Open on Saturday in omen for Iga Swiatek, who launched her bid to change into simply the second lady to win the “Sunshine Double” greater than as soon as with a breezy 6-1 6-1 win over Italy’s Camila Giorgi.

In stark distinction to Swiatek’s pleasure, Belarusian world quantity two Aryna Sabalenka exited in a match of rage, smashing her racquet and strolling off court docket with out providing a handshake after a 6-4 1-6 6-1 loss to Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina.

Winner of the “Sunshine Double” (wins at Indian Wells and Miami Open) in 2022, Swiatek can be a part of Steffi Graf as the one different lady to drag off the feat greater than as soon as if she will raise the trophy in Miami after taking the primary leg within the California desert final weekend.

The world primary opened her Miami account in ruthless fashion, romping to victory in simply 69 minutes.

“Today, for sure, was a pretty positive day,” mentioned Swiatek. “I simply consider that I’ve talents to play on any floor, particularly right here the place it is just a little bit slower normally.

“I already know that I could do it (win) two years ago, so this experience has taught me that there’s no need to worry or panic, you just have to really use every minute on court to be focused and get the right feeling.”

Swiatek has not misplaced a gap match since 2021 in Cincinnati and the 22-year-old Pole was in no hazard of getting that run finish on the Hard Rock stadium court docket, racing out to a 4-0 lead within the opening set and by no means stepping off the fuel.

Next for Swiatek is Twenty sixth-seeded Czech teenager Linda Noskova, who might show a tough check having shocked the Pole within the third spherical of this yr’s Australian Open.

‘BEST MATCH’

In the battle of gamers returning to the tour from maternity go away it was former world primary Naomi Osaka coming away with a 6-2 7-6(5) win over Fifteenth-seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina.

It is one other massive step within the 26-year-old Japanese participant’s comeback having now picked off two high 20 ranked gamers within the six matches since her return.

“I definitely do think it was one of my best matches, if not the best match,” mentioned the four-time Grand Slam winner. “But I additionally need myself to play higher and higher each match.

“I feel like for me going into the match, I knew that she’s a great player, and I had no choice but to play really well if I wanted a chance to win.”

American fifth seed Jessica Pegula moved untroubled into the third spherical when an ailing Zhu Lin retired trailing 6-4 4-1.

After solely eight matches had been accomplished on Friday as a result of rain, the beginning of play was once more delayed by three hours on Saturday with Pegula and Zhu among the many first in motion as organisers scrambled to get again on schedule.

Zhu, on the lookout for her first win over a high 5 ranked opponent, started well, matching Pegula with an early break.

But the 30-year-old Chinese was unable to maintain the hassle as Pegula broke once more to take the opener earlier than charging out to a 3-0 lead within the second.

Zhu would maintain serve at 3-1 however after Pegula served to extend her lead headed to the bench throughout the changeover displaying indicators of misery and requested for the coach.

A medical outing was known as with a physician approaching court docket checking Zhu’s blood strain and coronary heart fee because the Chinese participant closed her eyes and pointed to her chest.

Following a quick dialogue with the chair umpire the match was known as with Pegula coming throughout to verify on her opponent.

Next up for Pegula is Canadian Leylah Fernandez, who transformed all six of her break possibilities in a 6-4 6-2 win over Colombian Emiliana Arango.

Romania’s Sorana Cirstea introduced former champion Sloane Stephens Miami Open to a screeching halt mauling the American grand slam winner 6-2 6-1.