Former champion Iga Swiatek beat Caroline Garcia for the second time in as many tournaments with a 6-2, 7-5 victory on Friday that put the Polish second seed into the third spherical of the Miami Open whereas Nick Kyrgios was despatched packing.
Swiatek beat Garcia in straight units on the identical stage in Indian Wells the place the Pole’s title protection ended final week within the semi-finals however confronted a way more decided opponent this time.
Swiatek powered by means of the primary two video games of the match with out dropping a degree after which consolidated one other service break for a 4-0 lead earlier than leaning on her serve to safe the primary set in 29 minutes.
However the Pole confronted far more resistance throughout a back-and-forth second set as she overturned a 3-1 deficit after which saved a set level whereas serving at 5-4 down as she closed out the match by profitable the final three video games.
Up subsequent for Swiatek shall be Belgian Elise Mertens, who superior with a 6-4, 6-1 win over American Peyton Stearns.
On the lads’s facet, Australian Kyrgios, who this week earned his first win since October 2022, fell 7-6(3), 6-0 to Karen Khachanov in second-round motion.
Former Miami finalist Casper Ruud, the fifth seed, superior with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic whereas 14th seed Grigor Dimitrov, who misplaced in final 12 months’s ultimate, moved on with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Italian wild card Federico Cina.
Six-time Miami champion Novak Djokovic will launch his quest for a a hundredth tour-level title when he faces Rinky Hijikata, whereas second seed Carlos Alcaraz is about to kick off the night session towards Belgian David Goffin.