Miami Open 2023: Sabalenka overcomes injury and Rogers to secure Round 3 spot

Despite an injury scare in the second set in her Round 2 clash with Shelby Rogers, Aryna Sabalenka came out victorious 6-4, 6-3 to reach the third round of the Miami Open.

The No.2 seed won 24 of the last 27 points to power through to Round 3 in Miami.

She injured her leg at the beginning of the second set, which hampered her movement, and couldn’t serve at 100%, but Sabalenka is just as much of a warrior as a tennis player, getting the needed win.

Speaking on the injury after the match, Sabalenka said she hopes she will be ready for the next match.

“First of all, super happy to be here and to get this win. Always tough matches against her. Something happened in the second set, we’ll see tomorrow. Hopefully, I’ll be alright. I’ll be ready for the next match.”

1 - Sabalenka has won 18 of her first 20 matches in 2023 (more than any female player). Last season she was 10-10 after 20 encounters.

2 - She has won 86% of points on her first serve on the way to victory over Rogers. In 46 matches at WTA 1000 level since 2021, it is the sixth time she has gone over 85%. Three of them have been in 2023.

3 - Her victory means she has won 65 main draw matches in WTA-1000 events, equalling Marion Bartoli and Ashleigh Barty in the 30th place for the most wins at this level since 2009.

Sabalenka will hope to be 100% against No.31 seed Bouzkova in their third round match.

Meanwhile, Belinda Bencic stormed past Canadian teenager Layla Fernandez 6-1, 6-1 to book her spot in the third round, where she will face Alexandrova.