Siniakova was close to finishing the match, but fell short of a victory on Tuesday
Photo: Jimmie48/WTA
Miami (USA) – World ranking leader and current WTA 1000 champion in Miami, Iga Swiatek already has her opponent set for her debut in Florida. The Pole will face the North American Claire Liu, in 59th place. They faced off two weeks ago in Indian Wells, and the number 1 came out on top with authority, dropping just one game. There was even a qualifier in Auckland in 2019, with another win for Swiatek.
Liu lost Tuesday’s match to Czech Katerina Siniakova 6-3 3-3, but her opponent injured her right wrist and couldn’t finish the match. Siniakova even requested three-minute medical attention in the middle of the match in which she was leading by 3/2.
On the return, the player had great difficulty hitting the ball and executing the forehand, resorting to numerous slices. As soon as Liu confirmed the service game, saving four break points, the Czech withdrew from the game and left the field crying a lot. Siniakova had just won the doubles title in Indian Wells last Saturday, alongside compatriot Barbora Krejcikova. Ranking leaders, The Czechs would be the main seed in Miami, but retired from support.
Rybakina, Gauff and Kasatkina also have definite opponents
Indian Wells champion last Sunday, Elena Rybakina has already defined her opponent for her debut. Now world number 7, the Kazakh faces 64th-ranked Anna Kalinskaya, who beat 17-year-old Andorran guest Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva, former number 1 and 171st youth in the WTA, 6-4 6-2. Kalinskaya won the only previous duel against Rybakina on the circuit, played in 2019, at an ITF tournament in Australia.
Another top 10 with a definite opponent is Coco Gauff. The 19-year-old American and world No. 6 takes on Canadian Rebecca Marino, who beat Kazakh Yulia Putintseva 7-6 (7-4) 6-2. Eighth-placed Russian Daria Kasatkina made her debut against Belgian Elise Mertens, who scored 6/1 and 6/4 against American Alycia Parks.
Mertens operational in Miami 💪@elise_mertens advances to round 2 after a 6-1, 6-4 win over Parks!#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/zxJdrboJHu
– wta (@WTA) March 21, 2023
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