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Agence France-Presse

China’s Zheng Qinwen was beaten in straight sets by Aryna Sabalenka in the women’s quarter-finals at the Miami Open, while Novak Djokovic was among the winners in the men’s draw.
World No 1 Sabalenka battled back in the second set to blast her way into the last four with a 6-2, 7-5 success on Tuesday local time.
The victory gave Sabalenka her first place in the Miami semis, with a clash against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini standing between her and a place in the final.
It looked like it was going to be routine business for the Belarusian against ninth seed Zheng when Sabalenka took the first set comfortably.
But Zheng had worked something out between sets at Hard Rock Stadium and came out firing, breaking Sabalenka twice to open up a 4-2 lead in the second set.

Sabalenka was in real trouble at 0-40 down but, after some signs of anger, was able to fight back to hold for 4-4 and then turned her aggression into a powerful finale.
With some blistering returns, the top seed broke to go 6-5 and then, with her serve at full force, confidently held to secure the win.
“Honestly every match is tough against her, I always have to work really hard to get the win and today was an incredible level from both of us,” Sabalenka said.
“I’m super-happy to get this win. I’m super-happy with the way I handled all the emotions and handled the pressure,” she added.
Earlier, sixth seed Paolini defeated Magda Linette 6-3, 6-2. Paolini, beaten in the finals at Wimbledon and the French Open last year, became the first Italian to make it to the last four in Miami.
It took just 77 minutes for her to take care of business against Poland’s Linette, who had progressed into the quarters with a surprise win over Coco Gauff.
A lengthy delay to the start of the game, caused by heavy rain in the afternoon, did not cause any issues for Paolini, who dominated from the off.

Paolini, who is looking for her second title at the WTA 1000 level, after last year’s triumph in Dubai, looked confident and said she had known her form would start to bring her results.
“I think I didn’t play bad this season but I just didn’t have a great result,” she said. “But I was there. I lost many matches but to big opponents.
“It was tough but I was repeating to myself that I was there – maybe I just needed a little more confidence and it came here maybe,” she said.
Djokovic cruised into the quarter-finals with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Lorenzo Musetti of Italy.
Musetti, the 15th seed, got off to a flying start to take a 2-0 lead in the first set but then proceeded to lose the next nine games as the Serb, looking confident and sharp, ran away with it.
Djokovic has won the Miami Open on six occasions but has not featured in the quarters since his last victory in 2016.
The 37-year-old is now just three wins away from winning his 100th tour-level title.
“He had a really good start of the match. First couple games I started a little bit slow and then I knew that if I give him time, he’s going to make his shots,” Djokovic said.
“He loves kind of running around his backhand, hitting forehands. But he is so talented, he can play any shot in the game on any surface.
“It was tough, particularly in the first seven, eight games of the match. But I think breaking his serve to come back to two-all and break right away at 3-2, it was a momentum shift and I tried to use that,” he added.
Djokovic will face American Sebastian Korda on Wednesday for a place in the semi-finals after the 24th seed beat French veteran Gael Monfils 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in a rain-affected match.
Korda visibly struggled with his wrist, however, and later pulled out of his doubles match with partner Jordan Thompson.


Miami Open: Alexandra Eala dream run ends as Jessica Pegula sets up Aryna Sabalenka final

Philippine wild card Alexandra Eala beats world No 2 at Miami Open tennis quarter-finals

Miami Open: Filipino Alexandra Eala stuns Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula stops Emma Raducanu

Miami Open: China’s Zheng Qinwen out after defeat by Aryna Sabalenka

WTA (Women's Tennis Association)

Zheng Qinwen acknowledges the crowd as she leaves the court following her loss to Aryna Sabalenka. Photo: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Zheng Qinwen serves against Aryna Sabalenka in Miami. Photo: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Jasmine Paolini hits a backhand against Magda Linette at the Miami Open. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

Miami Open: China’s Zheng Qinwen to face ‘mountain she cannot climb’ in quarter-finals

Zheng Qinwen celebrates after winning a point against Ashlyn Krueger in the last 16 at the Miami Open. Photo: Reuters

Aryna Sabalenka (left) and Zheng Qinwen after their meeting in Riyadh. Photo: Reuters

Zheng Qinwen back to Olympic gold form as she breezes into quarter-finals at Indian Wells

Zheng Qinwen has reached the quarter-finals in Indian Wells without dropping a set. Photo: Getty Images

Marta Kostyuk reacts after winning a point against Zheng Qinwen. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Tennis

World No 1 Sabalenka marches into semi-finals, while Novak Djokovic reaches last eight of men’s tournament


World No 1 Sabalenka marches into semi-finals, while Novak Djokovic reaches last eight of men’s tournament.


Zheng Qinwen