British No 1 Katie Boulter made it by means of to the third spherical of the Miami Open after her teenage opponent Brenda Fruhvirtova retired with sickness.
Boulter got here into the match as a seed, having reached a career-high No 27 earlier this month, and she or he progressed after her 16-year-old opponent Fruhvirtova retired from their match in the midst of a rain delay with the rating at 7-6 (5) 1-0 15-0.
Wild card Fruhvirtova gave the impression to be battling the warmth, headed to her chair earlier than being consoled by Boulter.
The younger Czech, who was brief on tennis coming into the event having been beneath the climate, known as the physician for the primary time main by a break of serve at 5-4 within the opening set.
Boulter finally took the set in a tie-break and had damaged to start out the second earlier than Fruhvirtova known as the physician once more after which determined she couldn’t proceed.
She isn’t the primary participant to battle in Miami this week, with Frenchman Arthur Cazaux collapsing on courtroom throughout a qualifying match, whereas Matteo Berrettini seemed near fainting in opposition to Andy Murray on Wednesday.
Boulter had made a shaky begin and admitted she discovered it onerous to pay attention amid her opponent’s difficulties, telling Sky Sports activities’ Laura Robson: “I truly suppose it is one of many hardest issues to do.
“Halfway through the match I’m seeing her coaches telling her to pull and then she’s not, so obviously there’s a lot going on. One minute she’s struggling to put the ball in the court and the next she’s running 10 shots side to side so it’s a tough mental game.
“For me it was difficult in the present day and I in all probability wasn’t the kindest to myself however we stay and be taught.”
Henman: It wasn’t fairly for Boulter however she’s made massive strides
“It’s about finding a way to get the victory. People talk about winning ugly, and it wasn’t pretty at times for Boulter,” Tim Henman instructed Sky Sports activities Tennis.
“She lost her first service game, and you felt she was always playing catch-up.
“She did not panic, she needed to battle onerous, she needed to hold her feelings in test, however she obtained the win and is thru to the third spherical.
“I bet she’ll play better in the next round.
“There’s some ways to beat individuals, and generally to remain in rallies and lengthen them is the best way.
“Boulter isn’t scared to take the ball on when she has the opportunity. Her athletic ability has improved so much.
“She’s made massive strides. The offensive sport will at all times be there, however the stronger she is in defence will likely be one other string to her bow.”
Enormous win for Evans
Dan Evans defeated Italian Lorenzo Sonego for the primary time in 4 makes an attempt to submit a much-needed win.
Issues didn’t look promising for the 33-year-old, who had received solely two of his eight matches in 2024, when Sonego raced to the primary set however Evans dug in and turned the match round to assert a 1-6 6-3 6-4 victory.
The British No 3 had misplaced to Sonego in Miami final 12 months and on the Australian Open in January, and he set free an enormous roar of pleasure on the finish.
“He was way better than me and I wasn’t really moving him,” stated Evans. “I just made up my mind to start coming in and trying to dictate and see where it got me.
“I served very properly, which made it lots simpler. I am actually glad. It has been a tragic 12 months to date. It is solely tennis, although.”
Eighth seed Maria Sakkari, runner-up to Iga Swiatek in Indian Wells final weekend, continued her good kind with a 6-2 6-2 victory over Yuan Yue however Caroline Wozniacki misplaced out 5-7 7-5 6-4 to Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina.
Within the first spherical of the lads’s occasion, former US Open finalist Kei Nishikori, taking part in simply his fifth event since 2021 and first of the season, was crushed 6-3 6-4 by Sebastian Ofner.
In the meantime, Andy Murray followed up his singles victory over Matteo Berrettini on Wednesday by teaming up with American Sebastian Korda to beat Britain’s Julian Money and Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 7-5 6-4 within the first spherical of the doubles.
Croft: Simply what the physician ordered
“It felt like just what the doctor ordered to be honest with you,” she Annabel Croft on Sky Sports activities Tennis.
“He was absolutely down and out after the first set. This is more of the same of what his year’s been about, but he’s such a competitor, such a fighter and he started to come forward, take chances, take risks and it’s incredible how momentum shifts into the psychology of the opponent. They can feel the presence of their opponent coming.
“He did win extra of the details when it actually mattered. A terrific victory.”
Friday on the Miami Open
Aryna Sabalenka, Andy Murray, Jack Draper, Cameron Norrie, Coco Gauff, Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek and Daniil Medvedev are all taking part in on a bumper day of motion.
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