Carlos Alcaraz suffered a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 defeat to Belgian David Goffin in the second round of the Miami Open on Friday, while Novak Djokovic tied Rafa Nadal for the most ATP Masters 1000 match wins. Meanwhile, Russia’s Mirra Andreeva took another step toward completing the ‘Sunshine Double.’
Goffin Triumphs Over Alcaraz
Goffin maintained a break advantage over the second-seeded Alcaraz in each of the three sets, clinching the win on his second match point when Alcaraz was unable to retrieve a forehand that Goffin fired into the corner. The Belgian now faces Brandon Nakashima in the third round, who won his match 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 against Roberto Carballes Baena.
Djokovic Makes Miami Return
Six-time champion Novak Djokovic marked his long-awaited return to the Miami Open with a commanding 6-0, 7-6(1) victory over Australia’s Rinky Hijikata. This victory was significant for Djokovic, as it was his 410th ATP Masters 1000 match win, tying him with Rafa Nadal for the most in the tournament’s history. Djokovic dominated the opening set in just 27 minutes but faced more resistance in the second. Despite a tough battle, Djokovic won the tiebreak with a run of six consecutive points.
Medvedev and Kyrgios Exit Early
Reigning Miami champion Daniil Medvedev, who entered this year after a semifinal appearance at Indian Wells, suffered an early exit, losing 6-2, 6-3 to Spaniard Jaume Munar. Australian Nick Kyrgios, fresh off his first win since 2022, was also eliminated, falling 7-6(3), 6-0 to Karen Khachanov.
Andreeva Eyes ‘Sunshine Double’
On the women’s side, Russia’s Mirra Andreeva continued her strong run, following up her Indian Wells victory with a 6-0, 6-2 triumph over Veronika Kudermetova in the Miami Open second round. Andreeva now looks to add another prestigious title to her name, with a third-round clash against Doha champion Amanda Anisimova.
Swiatek and Keys Advance
Poland’s Iga Swiatek secured a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Caroline Garcia, setting up a third-round meeting with Belgian Elise Mertens, who triumphed 6-4, 6-1 over Peyton Stearns. American Madison Keys also advanced, defeating Armenia’s Elina Avanesyan 6-3, 6-3. Keys will face Filipino wildcard Alexandra Eala, who triumphed 7-6(2), 7-5 over Latvian 25th seed Jelena Ostapenko.
Raducanu’s Remarkable Win
Britain’s Emma Raducanu produced a gritty 7-6(8/6), 2-6, 7-6(7-3) victory over eighth-seeded American Emma Navarro in a marathon contest lasting nearly three hours. The 21-year-old, who made headlines with her 2021 US Open title, was emotional after the win, admitting the victory meant even more to her than some of her triumphs in New York due to the struggles she has faced since. Raducanu overcame physical exhaustion and self-doubt in the third set, pushing through to win the tiebreak.
Raducanu reflected on her journey, explaining that victories now carry more emotional weight than her US Open triumph, particularly after enduring setbacks and challenges, including injuries and personal issues. Her recent struggles have made her victories feel even more rewarding.
Raducanu’s journey in Miami continues with a third-round matchup against American McCartney Kessler. She expressed gratitude for the day of rest and her sense of stability with a strong support system around her.
As a fun aside, Raducanu has been incorporating American football skills into her warm-ups, learning to throw a spiral pass with the help of her trainer.