Miami Open 2021: Day 4-Osaka, Kenin, Pliskova, Muguruza all win their second round matches, Stephens and Brady falter

Miami Open 2021: Day 4-Osaka, Kenin, Pliskova, Muguruza all win their second round matches, Stephens and Brady falter

Osaka Kenin Pliskova Muguruza

Day-4 of the Miami Open 2021 saw a lot of movement as top seeds from the lower half of the ladies draw, who had a bye in the first round, took to the courts. Osaka, Kenin, Pliskova, Muguruza all booked their places in the third round, while a few like Sloane Stephens and Jennifer Brady said adios to the tournament. 

Naomi Osaka wins her 22nd consecutive match 

Osaka the second seed beat Ajla Tomljanovic, 7-6(7-3) 6-4, to win her second round encounter and book her place in the third round of the Miami Open. Osaka hit 13 aces in the match. Osaka historically hasn’t done well at Miami and if she wins another match, that will beat her previous best result here. Her opponent in the third round is Nina Stojanovic.

Watch: Ajla Tomljanovic vs. Naomi Osaka | 2021 Miami Open Round 2 | WTA Match Highlights

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Sofia Kenin battles past Andrea Petkovic

Kenin who is seeded fourth, was returning to action for the first time post her appendix operation on 15th February. Petkovic started aggressively and took the first set 7-6. But Kenin started to make her comeback in the second and won it lopsided, 6-1.

Kenin won the third too and sealed the match 6-7(6-8) 6-1 6-3. What stood out was Kenin’s composure on the big points and her low mount of unforced errors. Her opponent in the next round is Ons Jabeur. 

Karolina Pliskova glides into the third round 

Against Saisai Zheng of China, the sixth seed Pliskova put on a vintage performance. Is her form finally back? Well that is still under scrutiny but she did play a great match against Zheng. She served well, attacked the Chinese’s serve and dominated the match from start to finish to win 6-2 6-1.

 Pliskova served at 73%, first serve, compared to Zheng who was down at 47%. A good clinical victory this, now she will face her nemesis Jessica Pegula in the third round. 

Garbine Muguruza records solid win

Muguruza was up against Chinese teenager Wang Xinyu in this second round match. Xinyu fought hard in the first set, losing it 4-6. But in the second set, Muguruza was already in the mood and won it 6-1.

Overall a good 6-4 6-1 victory for the twelfth seed Muguruza. Her third round opponent is Anna Kalinskaya of Russia. 

Local talents Sloane Stephens and Jennifer Brady say goodbye 

Stephens, who is a former Champion at the Miami Open couldn’t cross her second round hurdle. She lost to Amanda Anisimova, 3-6 3-6. Brady the Australian Open Finalist didn’t have a good time either as she succumbed to Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-3 4-6 1-6. 

OTHER RESULTS: 

  • Bianca Andreescu defeats  Tereza Martincová(7-6, 6-2)
  • Maria Sakkari defeats Arantxa Rus (6-2, 6-3)
  • Elise Mertens defeats Katie Boulter(6-4, 6-1)
  • Belinda Bencic defeats Zarina Diyas (6-2, 6-1)
  •  Jessica Pegula defeats Storm Sanders (6-3, 6-4)

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