MIAMI — Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka kept their “Sunshine Double” hopes alive at the ATP/WTA Miami Open on Monday with commanding wins, while several top seeds, including defending men’s champion Jakub Mensik, crashed out.
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Sabalenka, world number one and defending Miami champion, cruised past China’s 2024 Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals. The four-time Grand Slam winner aims to become only the fifth woman to complete the Indian Wells–Miami double after Steffi Graf, Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, and Iga Swiatek. Sabalenka will face unseeded American Hailey Baptiste in the last eight.
Sinner, chasing a second Miami title after his 2024 victory, defeated 30th seed Corentin Moutet 6-1, 6-4 to advance to the last 16, where he will meet American Alex Michelsen.
Monday also saw major upsets, with Mensik falling in a marathon three-setter to 19th seed Frances Tiafoe 7-6(7/4), 4-6, 7-6(13/11). Other early exits included Indian Wells runner-up Daniil Medvedev, world number one Carlos Alcaraz, and Australian fifth seed Alex De Minaur.
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Meanwhile, rising stars like Canadian 10th seed Victoria Mboko impressed, setting up a quarter-final clash with Czech 13th seed Karolina Muchova.
With the Sunshine Double and key upsets shaping the draw, fans can expect an unpredictable second week in Miami, featuring both elite performances and potential breakout stars.