The WTA tournament in Miami is hot. In the fight for the quarter-final places some top female players had to travel home.
One of these title favourites is Petra Kvitova – or rather was. The Czech had to admit defeat in two sets to a fresh and courageous Elena Ostapenko. The first round was fiercely contested, both players went at a high speed and showed great tennis. The decision was made in the tiebreak, which Ostapenko won 7-4.
In the second round, Kvitova’s strength diminished a bit and the young Latvian on the other side took her chance to make a decisive break. In the end, the scoreboard in Miami was 7:6 (4) and 6:3.
Monica Puig suffered a severe setback in the fight to catch up with the world’s best. Before the game, the Puerto Rican said she was comfortable in Miami and ready for the big title. The 2016 Olympic champion has to put this project in second place for the time being.
Her opponent Danielle Collins was too strong for Puig in the round of 16 and the 24-year-old lost after three sets. Collins, who already made a name for herself in Indian Wells and caused a sensation, acted aggressively and recklessly. The ex-colleague player from the USA is among the top eight in Miami for the first time after 3:6, 6:4 and 6:2 and now faces her compatriot Venus Williams.
Williams caused a lot of sadness, especially among the British fans. The ex-number one beat last year’s winner Johanna Konta, who had to be treated during the match, after a tight first set and booked a 5:7, 6:1 and 6:2 ticket for the next round.
Victoria Azarenka is also one lap further on. After her baby break and persistent physical problems, the Belarusian slowly finds her way back to her old form and prevails against Agnieszka Radwanska. The 6:2 and 6:2 should have warned the competition in Miami against a hungry and aggressive Azarenka.
For Elina Svitolina the match against Australian Ashleigh Barty was a clear affair and the Ukrainian left the field with a convincing 7-5 and 6-4 win.
The ladies’ single tableau in Miami