Sabalenka, Osaka & Gauff reach last 16 in Miami

After retiring with an injury, world no. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse, moved into the Miami Open final 16. Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff both won.

Before Romanian Ruse retired with a thigh issue in the opening game of the second, Sabalenka had won the first set 6-1.

In a match that lasted almost three hours, Japan’s Osaka overcame a scare to defeat American wild card Hailey Baptiste.

In the decisive third set, world number 98 Baptiste broke up and served at 4-3, but Osaka resurrected.

Third seed Gauff, who continued her excellent tournament with a comfortable straight-set victory over Maria Sakkari from Greece, had no such issues.

The 21-year-old world number three made it to the last 16 in Miami for the third time in her career by defeating Sofia Kenin 6-0 6-0 in the previous round with a 6-0 victory over the previous round in just 47 minutes.