From tennis paradise to the East Coast, the second of back-to-back WTA and ATP 1000 events begins this week with the world’s best stars preparing to complete the ‘Sunshine Double’ at the Miami Open.
The iconic Hard Rock Stadium will play host to the two-week-long event in Miami as Czech Jakub Mensik and Aryna Sabalenka look to defend their titles.
Sabalenka finally conquered her Indian Wells demons, defeating Elena Rybakina in a breathless final to claim the desert title for the first time and secure her 23rd career crown and if she defends her title in Florida, she will complete the ‘Sunshine Double’.
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Who will bring the heat at the Miami Open and get their hands on the trophy as the tournament starts on 17 March – live on Sky Sports Tennis
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Highlights of an EPIC Indian Wells final between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina
Only four women have achieved the unique double – Steffi Graf (1994 and 1996), Kim Clijsters (2005), Victoria Azarenka (2016) and, most recently, Iga Swiatek (2022).
Martina Navratilova, who first won the first Miami Open in 1985 explained: “I think it’s just because it’s tough fields, the biggest and the best. And then there’s the adjustment as far as weather and the courts. It just weighs you down. With back-to-back two-week events, it’s tough to stay on top of it for so long, physically or emotionally.
“It’s a longer stretch of engagement.”
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Highlights of the Indian Wells final between Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev
Jannik Sinner claimed his first title of the year with victory over Daniil Medvedev in Indian Wells to put him on course for completing the double.
The four-time Grand Slam champion had had a slightly underwhelming start to the season by his stratospheric standards but he was peerless in the Californian desert, not dropping a set through the fortnight.
Which British players will be competing?
Emma Raducanu could face British No 2 Sonay Kartal in the second round
British No 1 Emma Raducanu will be hoping to regain the form that led her to the quarter-finals in Miami 12 months ago.
The former US Open champion enjoyed a tournament to remember last year – recording wins over Emma Navarro, and Amanda Anisimova on her way to reaching a career-first WTA 1000 quarter-final where she narrowly lost out to Jessica Pegula.
Joining her is the in-form Sonay Kartal who made it through to the last 16 at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
This year’s tournament will mark Kartal’s main draw debut in Miami and she could meet Raducanu in a second-round blockbuster if she can defeat Peyton Stearns in the opening round.
Stearns is in strong form herself, having won the ATX Open WTA 250 event at the end of February.
Raducanu and Kartal have never played each other on the professional tour but were keen rivals and friends coming up through the ranks as juniors.
Should either of the Brits make the third round, they could be set to play 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Katie Boulter has also received direct entry into the main draw and faces Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maniero in the first round before a potential clash with 17th seed Clara Tauson.
The 29-year-old, who picked up her fourth tour-level title last month at the Ostrava Open, has Karolina Muchova and Iga Swiatek in her quarter of the draw.
Venus Williams, 45, will take on Britain’s Fran Jones, who is half her age
Fran Jones completes the line up of British women set to contest the singles title and she opens her campaign against tennis legend Venus Williams, 45, in a mouth-watering contest.
Since the event’s 1985 inauguration, Serena Williams has won the Miami Open title eight times She has enjoyed a pair of three-peats, from 2002-04 and 2013-15.
- Emma Raducanu (24) vs Bye
- Sonay Kartal vs Peyton Stearns (USA)
- Fran Jones vs Venus Williams (USA)
- Katie Boulter vs Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (ESP)
On the men’s side Jack Draper will lead the British charge as he eyes a second Masters 1000 title.
He reached the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells last week after ousting 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, his first career-win over the former world No 1.
New British No 1 Cam Norrie is also in the draw and will be fuelled with plenty of confidence off the back of his fourth round run at Indian Wells.
There four Brits in men’s singles qualifying with Jack Pinnington Jones, Billy Harris, Jay Clarke, and Arthur Fery all looking to make the main draw.
The day sessions will begin at 4pm UK time (11am local time) with night sessions starting at midnight UK time (7pm local time).
Who is playing and who is out?
Novak Djokovic lost to Jack Draper at Indian Wells
Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Miami Open citing a right shoulder injury.
The 38-year-old was beaten by Draper in a gruelling fourth-round encounter at Indian Wells earlier this week and has opted not to compete in the second leg of the ‘Sunshine Double’.
Djokovic is a six-time champion in Florida and reached the final last year, losing to surprise champion Jakub Mensik, but that was the first time he had played at the tournament since 2019.
Carlos Alcaraz will be the top seed at the Masters 1000 event, which begins on Wednesday.
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