Miami Open 2023: Andreescu and Gracheva cause major upsets to reach third round

Miami Open 2021 runner-up Bianca Andreescu got a massive win over No.7 seed Maria Sakkari 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the third round in Miami.

In a gruelling battle of over 3 hours, Andreescu came from a set down to take the second set in a rematch of their epic 2021 semifinal clash.

This time the Canadian got the better of the the Indian Wells semifinalist again, handing her the second loss in their meeting and move 2-1 ahead in their head-to-head clash.

Speaking after the match, Andreescu said: “The match was very difficult. It’s always nice to win matches like this, you know, 6-4 in the 3rd. I think Maria played great. I respect her a lot, she’s done amazing things. So yeah, I’m very pleased.”

Andreescu has been in superb form in Miami after defeating British former Grand Slam champion Emma Raducanu in her first-round match.

Meanwhile, Africa's best tennis player Ons Jabeur is yet to get back to her best form since her surgery earlier in the year, as Varvara Gracheva got the biggest win of her career, knocking out the No.4 seed.

Gracheva ousted the Tunisian 6-2, 6-3 and advanced to the third round of the sunshine tournament.

Donna Vekic staged a stunning comeback to defeat Brengle and set up a third-round clash with Petra Kvitova, who dropped just three games for 6-3, 6-0, in her second-round match with Linda Noskova. It was a match between the Czech icon vs the Czech protégé.

Maddison Keys defeated Montgomery 6-4, 6-4 to set up third round clash with Barbora Krejcikova, who defeated Sasnovich 6-3, 6-2 to reach the third round of the Miami Open for the first time.

Sorana Cirstea prevailed over No.5 seed Caroline Garcia 6-2, 6-3 in back-to-back tournaments and will now face Muchova in the third round.