Philippine wildcard stuns Keys, Djokovic sets Masters 1000 record

Photo by Rich Storry / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Australian Open champion Madison Keys was dumped out of the Miami Open third round on Sunday, falling 6-4 6-2 to Philippine wildcard Alexandra Eala, while Novak Djokovic earned a record-setting 411th ATP Masters 1000 level match win.

For 19-year-old Eala, the upset victory over the American fifth seed extended her dream run in Miami where she has now toppled two Grand Slam champions having beaten 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko in the second round.

"I am just in disbelief," she told Tennis Channel. "I knew I could win from the start but the chances were low given that she is a great player, but I think my belief and the trust I had in myself is what pushed me through."

Eala, who has trained at Rafa Nadal's academy in Mallorca since she was 13, required a medical timeout for what appeared to be a leg injury but was a force from the baseline against Keys, who reached the Indian Wells semi-final last week.

Up next for Eala, who has not dropped a set in Miami, will be Spanish 10th seed Paula Badosa.

Former champion Iga Swiatek earned a 7-6(2) 6-1 win over Belgian 27th seed Elise Mertens that made the Polish second seed the first player to reach the last 16 of a WTA 1000 event in 25 consecutive appearances.

Swiatek built a seemingly comfortable 5-2 lead in the first set but Mertens managed to claw back to 5-5 before the Pole ran away with the tiebreaker and breezed through the second frame.

"I'm happy that I got my level up in the tiebreaker to close it in two sets. Also in the second set I felt like I was playing good, big confidence," said Swiatek. "Yeah, overall I'm happy with the performance and how I worked through some issues."

Up next for Swiatek will be Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, who beat Czech 15th seed Karolina Muchova 6-2 3-6 6-2 and is looking to build on her run to the Indian Wells quarter-final where she lost to eventual champion Mirra Andreeva.

Djokovic sets record

Six-times champion Djokovic moved into the fourth round with a 6-1 7-6(1) triumph over Argentine lucky loser Camilo Ugo Carabelli that moved the Serbian fourth seed ahead of Nadal and into top spot on the all-time list of Masters 1000 match wins.

Djokovic, who is also seeking a record seventh Miami title, will next face Lorenzo Musetti after the Italian 15th seed beat Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime 4-6 6-2 6-3.

In other men's action, Bulgarian 14th seed Grigor Dimitrov, who lost in last year's final, was a 6-7(3) 6-4 7-5 winner over Russian Khachanov and set up a clash with American Brandon Nakashima.

American Sebastian Korda upset Greek ninth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6(4) 6-3 and will next face Frenchman Gael Monfils, a 7-5 5-7 7-6(1) winner over Spaniard Jaume.

Former finalist Casper Ruud advanced with a straight-sets win over Chile's Alejandro Tabilo, setting up a last-16 showdown with Argentine Francisco Cerundolo, who was a 6-2 7-6(4) winner over American 12th seed Tommy Paul.

More from Sports

News

  • UAE dispatches search-and-rescue teams, relief aid to Sri Lanka

    In response to the severe flooding that has struck several regions of Sri Lanka, the UAE has launched urgent humanitarian operations, deploying specialised search-and-rescue teams and sending more than 20 tonnes of emergency relief supplies.

  • UAE leaders receive greetings on 54th Eid Al Etihad

    President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received messages of congratulations on Tuesday, from kings, presidents and emirs across the world, on the occasion of the 54th Eid Al Etihad.

  • Sharjah Ruler inaugurates Independence Square project

    His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the Independence Square project on Tuesday, following an upgrade that included the construction of the Independence Monument, along with the development of the square and surrounding buildings.