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Anastasia Potapova and Magda Linette reached the Miami Open round of 16 for the first time in their careers, defeating favourites Gauff and Azarenka.
Anastasia Potapova earned a famous win over Coco Gauff, conquering the American 6-7(8), 7-5, 6-2 in front of her home crowd to reach the Miami Open Round of 16 for the first time in her career.
In a match that lasted almost 3 hours, Potapova led 5-2 in the opening set but Gauff fought back. Potapova made a big comeback from the first set down, and 3-5 0-15 in the second set to defeat the No.6 seed at the sunshine tournament.
Speaking after the match, Potapova said she just focused on her tennis and had no idea how she did it.
“Honestly, I have no idea how. I just let it go and started to focus on my tennis, going for my shots, not thinking about what she’s going to do. I’m really happy to be in the Round of 16 for the 1st time. It’s the dream that really came true.”
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She was also full of praise for the crowd, saying the US fans were very respectful.
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20:52 - 25.03.2023
TENNIS Miami Open 2023: Ostapenko and Zheng book Round of 16 spots
Jelena Ostapenko ousted Beatriz Haddad Maia as Qinwen Zheng defeated Samsonova to reach Round of 16 in Miami Open.
“I’m not guessing, I know Coco was the favorite for the crowd. It wasn’t easy for me to play. But fans in the US are very respectful for everyone. At the end I really felt some support from the crowd. That’s so funny but I really want to thank those guys,” she concluded.
And Gauff has vowed to break out of her defensive shell, as it's a hindrance to her winning games.
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“My defense should be used as a tool than as a weapon. I have to change my mentality. I play too passively because I know I can get to balls. The players doing well are big hitters. It's not like I don't have the tools to hit big, I do… it's about making it the 1st decision," the teenager said.
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08:55 - 26.03.2023
TENNIS Miami Open 2023: Rybakina fends off tough test from Badosa, advancing into Round of 16
Elena Rybakina saved a match point in the second set, overcoming the stiff test from Paula Badosa to reach Round of 16 in Miami.
Linette overcomes Azarenka in Miami Open third-round match
Magda Linette recorded her tenth career win over a top 20 player with a 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-4 victory over Victoria Azarenka to advance to the Round of 16 in Miami.
The Pole who had Polish fans behind her broke into the Top 20 five days ago and is now 7-4 against Top 20 players in the last year.
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