Aryna Sabalenka sweeps past Caty McNally to reach Miami Open last 16
World number one Aryna Sabalenka has reached the last 16 of the Miami Open by beating American Caty McNally in straight sets to continue her pursuit of the ‘Sunshine Double’.
The defending champion extended her current winning streak to eight matches with a commanding 6-4 6-2 victory in Florida.
Having already lifted the Indian Wells title earlier this month, the Belarusian is aiming to become only the fifth woman to win both prestigious tournaments in the same calendar year.
The players exchanged breaks of serve twice in a competitive opening set before the top seed seized control to edge ahead.
She then dominated the second set, winning four consecutive games from 2-2 to secure her progression.
Zheng awaits in the next round
Next up for the powerful baseliner is a Monday clash with Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen.
The Chinese star claimed her first victory over a top-20 opponent since undergoing elbow surgery in July by defeating American 15th seed Madison Keys.
However, history heavily favours the world number one, who has emerged victorious in seven of her eight previous meetings with Zheng.
Rybakina and Pegula advance
Third seed Elena Rybakina also booked her place in the next round, cruising to a comfortable 6-3 6-4 victory over Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk.
The Kazakhstani player will now face Australian qualifier Talia Gibson, who continued her impressive run by knocking out 18th seed Iva Jovic 6-2 6-2.
Gibson’s giant-killing streak in Miami follows a significant second-round victory over former world number one Naomi Osaka.
Meanwhile, fifth-seeded American Jessica Pegula required just 66 minutes to dismiss Canada’s Leylah Fernandez 6-2 6-2.
Ostapenko survives three-set battle
Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko was forced to dig deep to defeat Italian seventh seed Jasmine Paolini 5-7 6-2 7-5.
The 2018 tournament runner-up advances to face American world number 45 Hailey Baptiste.
Baptiste secured her own spot in the last 16 with a 6-3 7-5 upset over Ukrainian ninth seed Elina Svitolina.
