Aryna Sabalenka ‘Shocked’ After Miami Open’s Attempt to Cancel Her Match Due to Carlos Alcaraz-Joao Fonseca Blockbuster

Aryna Sabalenka is bidding to become the first woman since Iga Swiatek (2022) to complete the Sunshine Doubles.

Aryna Sabalenka ‘Shocked’ After Miami Open’s Attempt to Cancel Her Match Due to Carlos Alcaraz-Joao Fonseca Blockbuster

L-R: Joao Fonseca, Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Tiempo De Tenis, Quindici Zero, Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

In Short
  • Aryna Sabalenka was shocked by the Miami Open's attempt to cancel her match due to scheduling conflicts.
  • She chose to play her opening match on a different court, defeating Ann Li 7-6(5), 6-4.
  • Sabalenka aims to complete the Sunshine Doubles, seeking her third-round match against Caty McNally.

The Miami Open is dealing with scheduling chaos, all thanks to rain disruption, which even forced the tournament to cancel every match on Wednesday. Play was suspended several times on Friday as well. World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka couldn’t play her opening-round match on the main court to accommodate the Joao Fonseca–Carlos Alcaraz second-round clash, and this decision left her in shock.

The tournament organizers wanted to cancel Sabalenka’s match, but also gave her the option to play on a different court. The four-time Grand Slam champion chose the latter option and kicked off her campaign on Butch Buchholz against Ann Li, whom she defeated with a 7-6(5), 6-4 scoreline.

Well, I was actually shocked that they were considering cancelling my match, or they were giving me couple options of the stadiums. And I was like, ‘But, what’s the problem for [Carlos] Alcaraz and [Joao] Fonseca [to] start later’. Because yesterday, the night session started at nine, and then Mirra [Andreeva] was playing. So I was actually really shocked [by] the idea of even cancelling my match. But I just decided to play today, just so that, if I win, I have a day off. And I have time to prepare, to recharge, and everything.

Aryna Sabalenka said at the press conference

The much hyped Alcaraz-Fonseca match ended quickly in the seven-time Grand Slam champion’s favor 6-4, 6-4. It was their first head-to-head meeting on the tour. Before Alcaraz, the Brazilian met eventual champion Jannik Sinner in the fourth round of this year’s Indian Wells.

I think I never deal with something like that, so I think it’s like a first experience. I don’t remember anything like that. I just thought it’s not a big problem for me to play and then for the night session to wait and play a little bit later. But I guess that’s what the tournament, tickets… that’s what was better for the tournament.

Aryna Sabalenka added

Sabalenka has set up her third-round match against Caty McNally. She is bidding to complete the Sunshine Doubles and become the fifth woman overall and the first since Iga Swiatek (2022) to achieve this.

Alcaraz, on the other hand, has set up his third-round clash with home favorite Sebastian Korda. The Spaniard is a former champion in Miami (won in 2022) but crashed out in the opening round last year.

Victoria Mboko reflects on her Indian Wells match against Aryna Sabalenka

Victoria Mboko‘s debut Indian Wells run was going smoothly until she met Sabalenka in the quarterfinals. Sabalenka converted just one out of the eight break points and saved the five break points she faced, before eventually winning with a 7-6(0), 6-4 scoreline.

Victoria Mboko
Victoria Mboko (Image via X/Sportsnet)

At the moment, Mboko is competing in Miami for the second time in her career and dismantled Anna Blinkova before knocking out Anastasia Zakharova to schedule her fourth-round clash with doubles partner Mirra Andreeva. In an interview with Tennis Channel, the Canadian ace reflected on her Indian Wells match against Sabalenka.

And honestly, looking back at it, I was like, maybe like the difference between one or two points, if I was just able to convert, and maybe who knows what would have happened. But yeah, it’s just little moments like that that can really make a difference and go a long way. So I mean, I’m happy to have played her again. You don’t feel as bad losing to the number one in the world.

Sabalenka’s first head-to-head clash with the 19-year-old also saw a tie-breaker (6-1, 7-6(1)). Mboko is chasing the second WTA 1000 title of her career, having won last year’s Canadian Open by beating Clara Tauson.

Also read: Jannik Sinner Not Thinking About Defending Points in Rome: “There Are Things I Must Improve”