Azarenka Advances In Miami, Full Women’s 4th RD Monday Including Serena

Seeds had a good day on the women’s side in Miami. Indian Wells champion Victoria Azarenka led the way toppling Magda Linette 6-3, 6-0.

“Playing in a tournament like Miami, you don’t expect players to give up and not try, whatever the scoreline is,” she added after the match in her press conference.

“I just wanted to stay aggressive, keep going for all my shots, and also not give her an opportunity to come back. Because once you do that, anybody can come back. I’m happy that I stayed focused. I took my opportunities and kept applying pressure.”

Garbine Muguruza destroyed Nicole Gibbs 6-1, 6-0 and Angelique Kerber got past qualifier Kiki Bertens after the Dutchwoman had to retire in the third set.

Johanna Konta continued to climb up the ladder and Monica Niculescu proved too tough for Coco Vandeweghe.

On Monday, all the fourth round matches are scheduled including 8-time champion Serena Williams who faces former Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Serena has won 8 of 10 meetings with the Russian including a 6-2, 6-3 win in this round at Miami a year ago.

“It’s a great matchup,” Serena said. “She plays well and makes a lot of the great shots. She’s actually been playing well this year. She had a couple big wins and couple good tournaments. Yeah, I have my work cut out for me. We’ll see what happens.”

Agnieszka Radwanska battles former French Open semifinalist Timea Bascinszky. Kerber meets Timea Babos and Simona Halep tries to win her third straight over Heather Watson.

“I used to have to do a lot just to play big tournaments, where I’d be in main draw for doubles but qualies for singles,” said Babos who beat Kristyna Pliskova today. “So now it also helps that I can be fresher, but now I have more belief and really enjoy playing.”

And in the pick of the day, former champion Azarenka matches up with Muguruza in a first-time meeting.