Aryna Sabalenka, the top-ranked player in the world, advanced to the last 16 of the Miami Open after her opponent, Elena-Gabriela Ruse, was forced to retire due to an injury. Sabalenka dominated the first set, winning 6-1, when the Romanian player had to bow out with a thigh injury just as the second set began.
Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka faced a tough challenge but ultimately triumphed over American wild card entrant Hailey Baptiste in an intense match that stretched nearly three hours. Baptiste, ranked 98th in the world, put up a strong fight and even led with a break at 4-3 in the critical third set. However, Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, showcased her resilience by holding her serve and breaking Baptiste’s serve, clinching the match with a score of 7-6 (8-6), 3-6, 6-4. At two hours, 59 minutes, and 57 seconds, this match was recorded as the longest women’s match of the tournament so far.
