Katie Boulter continues excellent form at Miami Open as Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek both win

The 27-year-old Brit will meet WTA Tour veteran Victoria Azarenka in the fourth round

(USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)

Katie Boulter continued her stellar start to 2024 with a dominant victory over Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia to reach the fourth round of the Miami Open.

The British number one was barely troubled by the 11th seed, whom she beat last month on her way to the San Diego title, as she wrapped up a 6-2 6-3 victory in 90 minutes.

The 27-year-old will meet WTA Tour veteran Victoria Azarenka in the fourth round.

Meanwhile, world number two Aryna Sabalenka went down 6-4 1-6 6-1 to Anhelina Kalinina in what was her second match following the death of her former boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov.

Koltsov died at the age of 42 on Monday in what police described as an “apparent suicide” in Miami.

Sixth seed Ons Jabeur was upset 6-1 4-6 6-3 by world number 65 Elina Avanesyan, while ninth seed Jelena Ostapenko was bundled out in straight sets by Anna Kalinskaya.

Japan’s Naomi Osaka picked up the second victory over a top 20 player in her past four matches, eclipsing world number 17 Elina Svitolina 6-2 7-6 (5).

(USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)

“I definitely do think it was one of my best matches, if not the best match [since my return],” said Osaka afterwards. “But I also want myself to play better and better every match. I feel like for me going into the match, I knew that she’s a great player, and I had no choice but to play really well if I wanted a chance to win.”

Additionally, world number one Iga Swiatek marked the 100th WTA 1000 match of her career with a straight sets win over Italy’s Camila Giorgi.

“Today, for sure, was a pretty positive day,” said Swiatek.

“I just believe that I have abilities to play on any surface, especially here where it’s a little bit slower usually.

“I already know that I could do it (win) two years ago, so this experience has taught me that there’s no need to worry or panic, you just have to really use every minute on court to be focused and get the right feeling.”