Nick Kyrgios thinks he knows the reason why Aryna Sabalenka usually struggles at the Miami Open and has never won it
Aryna Sabalenka Cruises into Miami Open Third Round
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka made a strong start at the Miami Open, easing past Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova with a 6-3, 6-0 victory to advance to the third round.
The Belarusian is still searching for her first WTA 1000 title of the season, having recently fallen short in the Indian Wells final against 17-year-old rising star Mirra Andreeva in a hard-fought 2-6, 6-4, 3-6 loss.
Now hoping to go one step further in Miami, the 26-year-old will be well aware of her past struggles at the tournament, where she has never progressed beyond the quarterfinal stage.
Nick Kyrgios on Why Sabalenka Struggles in Miami
Following his first-round win, Australian star Nick Kyrgios shared his thoughts on why Sabalenka has historically struggled in Miami. Speaking to the Tennis Channel, Kyrgios pointed to the fast court conditions as a potential factor.
“These courts are really fast,” Kyrgios explained. “That’s probably why Sabalenka hasn’t had much success here. She has big swings, and on a fast surface, it’s harder for her to control points.”
Kyrgios, who secured his first tour-level win since 2022, will now face Karen Khachanov in the second round, while Sabalenka prepares to take on Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the third round on Sunday, March 23.
Sabalenka’s Miami Open Struggles
Despite her dominance on the WTA Tour, the Miami Open remains one of Sabalenka’s least successful WTA 1000 events. Her best result at the tournament came in 2021 and 2023, when she reached the quarterfinals. Last year, she was eliminated in the third round by Anhelina Kalinina.
| Tournament | Best Result | Win % | Win-Loss Record | Most Recent Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar Open | Champion (2020) | 78% | 7-2 | 2R (2025) |
| Dubai Championships | QF (2021, 2023) | 50% | 6-6 | 3R (2025) |
| Indian Wells | Finalist (2023, 2025) | 71% | 15-6 | Final (2025) |
| Miami Open | QF (2021, 2023) | 57% | 8-6 | 3R (2025)* |
| Madrid Open | Champion (2021, 2023) | 81% | 17-4 | Final (2024) |
| Italian Open | Finalist (2024) | 60% | 9-6 | Final (2024) |
| Cincinnati Open | Champion (2024) | 75% | 18-6 | Champion (2024) |
| China Open | QF (2018, 2023, 2024) | 67% | 8-4 | QF (2024) |
| Wuhan Open | Champion (2018, 2019, 2024) | 100% | 17-0 | Champion (2024) |
Sabalenka came closest to a Miami Open semifinal appearance in 2021, when she pushed Ash Barty to three sets before losing 4-6, 7-6, 3-6.
Sabalenka’s Potential Path to the Miami Open Title
Despite her mixed history in Miami, Sabalenka remains a top contender for the title. However, she faces a challenging road ahead, with potential matchups against some of the biggest names on the WTA Tour.
📌 Potential Route to the Final:
✅ 3R: vs. Elena-Gabriela Ruse
✅ 4R: vs. Danielle Collins [14]
✅ QF: vs. Qinwen Zheng [9]
✅ SF: vs. Coco Gauff [3]
✅ F: vs. Iga Swiatek [2]
If Sabalenka hopes to lift the Miami Open trophy, she may have to battle past defending champion Danielle Collins, home favorite Coco Gauff, and fierce rival Iga Swiatek in what would be a grueling challenge.
For now, though, she remains focused on her third-round clash against Ruse, set for Sunday, March 23.
