MIAMI OPEN: BARTY THROUGH TO SEMI-FINAL, TSITSIPAS, MEDVEDEV QUALIFY TO MEN’S FINAL EIGHT

The defending champion of the Miami Open Ashliegh Barty has qualified for the semi-final, beating Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in a 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-3, in a match Sabalenka battle with an abdominal injury.

Barty, 24, who is currently the world No.1 was pleased with her performance in her quest to defend the title,

“That was the best level I’ve played for a long time, especially for a sustained period” Barty said.

She won 11 of the final 12 points and saved seven of the break points during the match. Barty will now face Ukranian fifth seed Elina Svitolina or Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova.

In the men’s battle for supremacy, second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas advanced to the quarter-final beating Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-2 7-6 (7-2). The Greek tennis star will meet Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz who is ranked world number 37. Hurkacz defeated Milos Raonic in three sets.

Spanish seventh seed Roberto Bautista will face Russian Danill Medvedev. The highly rated Russian tennis star defeated American Frances Tiafoe in a hard fought game but the Russian came out triumphant to reach the final eight with 6-4,6-3 win.