Miami Open presented by Itaú — March 21 Update

Welcome Back, Novak! “Six years, way too long,” said Novak Djokovic after his win Friday afternoon in what was the first Miami match for the six-time champion since 2019. He got off to a fast start against Rinky Hijikata then held on for a 6-0, 7-6(1) victory. It was Djokovic's 45th Miami Open match win, and he is pursuing his 100th career title this week.

Photo credit: Miami Open presented by Itaú.

There were also some challenges for past Miami Open champs. While Djokovic was successful, Friday saw three recent Miami Open men's winners bow out of this year's edition. Jaume Munar defeated 2023 champion Daniil Medvedev while David Goffin came from behind to upset 2022 winner Carlos Alcaraz. Before he even took the court, Hubert Hurkacz, the 2021 champion, withdrew due to a low back injury.

 
Photo credit: Miami Open presented by Itaú.

Meanwhile WTA’s youth movement is underway. The WTA’s younger players are putting on quite a performance through two rounds at the Miami Open presented by Itaú. Of the remaining 32 players, 13 are aged 23-and-under, including three teens. Leading the way is the youngest player, 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, who on Friday won her 13th consecutive match to set up a third round encounter Sunday with 23-year-old American Amanda Anisimova. The other two teens remaining are both 19: Alexandra Eala upset No. 25 Jelena Ostapenko Friday and will next battle Australian Open champion Madison Keys while Linda Fruhvirtova will play Magda Linette Saturday. 

Photo credit: Miami Open presented by Itaú.

And get ready — the top seeds are set for Saturday. Saturday’s Stadium slate starts with back-to-back matches featuring the No. 1 seeds, as ATP No. 1 Alexander Zverev leads off the day followed by WTA No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. American seeds Taylor Fritz(No. 3), Frances Tiafoe (No. 10), Ben Shelton (No. 14) as well as Indian Wells winner Jack Draper will get their 2025 Miami Open’s underway Saturday as the ATP second round concludes. For the WTA, it will be the start of the third round, with No. 3 Coco Gauff and No. 14 Danielle Collins, the defending champion, in action. But don’t sleep on the unseeded players on the schedule, including 18-year-old Joao Fonseca and four-time Major winner Naomi Osaka. 

Photo credit: Miami Open presented by Itaú.

For ongoing updates and additional coverage from the Florida Tennis team on-site, check out Florida Tennis on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook — we're also posting (and updating) the Order of Play and Match Results on our social media channels as well.

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Source: Miami Open presented by Itaú.