KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (AP) — Serena Williams’ early exit at the Miami Open cleared the way for two younger players to reach the final.
Tennis – Kuznetsova beats Bacsinszky to reach Miami final
– Two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova advanced to the final of the ATP and WTA Miami Open on Thursday by defeating Swiss 19th seed Timea Bacsinszky 7-5, 6-3. The 30-year-old Russian, who captured the Miami crown a decade ago, denied Bacsinszky on 12-of-14 break point chances, including three in the final game. “I enjoyed the fight and I’m happy I’m still able to play against the best in the world,” Kuznetsova said.
Djokovic withstands back spasms to reach Miami Open semis
Top-ranked defending champion Novak Djokovic withstood back spasms throughout the second set to defeat Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-3 and reach the ATP and WTA Miami Open semi-finals. Djokovic, trying to match Andre Agassi’s record of six Miami titles with his third in a row, will play Belgian 15th seed David Goffin on Friday for a berth in Sunday’s final. “Due to windy conditions on the court, it was hard to find a good rhythm to serve,” Djokovic said.
Tennis – Kerber books Miami semi-final with Azarenka
– Reigning Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber cruised into the ATP and WTA Miami Open semi-finals on Wednesday by dispatching US 22nd seed Madison Keys 6-3, 6-2. The German second seed will play a Thursday semi-final against two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, the former world number one from Belarus who defeated British 24th seed Johanna Konta 6-4, 6-2. Azarenka is 6-1 lifetime against Kerber, but lost their most recent meeting in the Australian Open quarter-finals. “I know I have to play my best tennis against her,” Kerber said. “I will be ready. …
Tennis-Azarenka beats Konta to reach Miami semis
(Adds later match details, quotes) March 30 (Reuters) – Victoria Azarenka withstood some early pressure from Britain’s Johanna Konta to continue her quest for a third Miami Open title with a 6-4 6-2 quarter-final victory on Wednesday. Azarenka, who 10 days ago beat Serena Williams to win the Indian Wells title in California, was too consistent for the 24th-seeded Konta in the end to keep alive her bid to capture the second half of the Sunshine Double. Konta, playing her first quarter-final of a WTA Premier event after making her first grand slam semi-final at the Australian Open in January,… Read More