Miami, US, Mar 21 (EFE).- Top seeds Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka progressed at the Miami Open, while Spain’s Martín Landaluce delivered a major upset and Cristina Bucsa withdrew injured in a rain-disrupted day.
Spain’s Martín Landaluce produced the surprise of the day by defeating Italy’s Luciano Darderi, while compatriot Cristina Bucsa was forced to retire due to injury.
In other matches, Argentinians Sebastián Báez, Camilo Ugo Carabelli, and Mariano Navone were eliminated after disappointing performances, while Thiago Agustín Tirante battled through a marathon match to reach the second round.
Earlier, Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut, Chile’s Tomás Barrios, and Colombia’s Camila Osorio were also knocked out.
Rain again disrupted play, delaying the morning session by more than two hours and forcing the cancellation of eight matches, including those involving Paula Badosa, Rafael Jódar, and Báez.
Alcaraz overcomes Fonseca
Alcaraz defeated Brazil’s Joao Fonseca 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 29 minutes, overcoming a hostile atmosphere created by a strong Brazilian crowd backing the 19-year-old prospect.
The Spaniard set the tone early, breaking serve at the start of both sets and maintaining control with consistent serving.
Alcaraz finished with 26 winners and 22 unforced errors, compared to Fonseca’s 14 winners and 19 errors. He saved three break points and converted two of five opportunities.
He will next face American Sebastian Korda, ranked No. 36, who beat Ugo Carabelli 6-0, 6-3.
Sabalenka pushed but prevails
Sabalenka was tested by American Ann Li but secured a 7-6(5), 6-4 victory in one hour and 43 minutes.
The Belarusian struggled to convert break points, managing just 3 of 15 chances, which allowed Li to recover from an early deficit and force a first-set tiebreak.
Sabalenka, the defending champion fresh off her WTA 1000 title in Indian Wells, will next face Caty McNally, ranked No. 72.
Landaluce delivers a breakthrough
Landaluce, ranked No. 151, reached the third round of a Masters 1000 event for the first time with a 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-4 win over Darderi.
The 20-year-old Spaniard struck 40 winners to his opponent’s 25 and faced just two break points in a composed performance.
Having entered the tournament through qualifying, Landaluce surpassed his previous best result in Miami, where he reached the second round in 2024.
He will next take on Russia’s Karen Khachanov, who defeated Bautista Agut 6-3, 6-3.
Tirante advances; Bucsa retires
Tirante (No. 81) was the only Argentine to advance, winning a grueling three-hour, 24-minute match against France’s Valentin Royer (No. 69). He required eight match points—seven on his own serve—to seal victory.
Entering as a lucky loser, Tirante now faces compatriot Francisco Cerúndolo (No. 19).
Elsewhere, Báez (No. 52) fell 2-6, 2-6 to Adam Walton (No. 85), while Navone (No. 61) lost 4-6, 3-6 to Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot.
Osorio was narrowly denied a bagel but ultimately lost to Czech Karolina Muchova (No. 14) 6-4, 2-6, 5-7 in the WTA 1000 event.
Barrios (No. 119), who came through qualifying, was beaten by France’s Arthur Cazaux (No. 73) 7-5, 6-4.
Bucsa (No. 30), making her debut as a seeded player, retired with a hip injury while trailing 6-2, 3-2 against Ukraine’s Yulia Starodubtseva. EFE
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