MIAMI GARDENS (AP) – Carlos Alcaraz picked up a straight-set win at the Miami Open yesterday to keep his world number one ranking over idle Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic is not participating in the Miami Open because he still cannot travel to the United States (US) as a foreign citizen who is not vaccinated against COVID-19.
Alcaraz, who beat Casper Ruud in the 2022 US Open final for his first number one ranking, defeated Facundo Bagnis 6-0, 6-2 to advance to the third round in Miami.
Rafael Nadal dropped out of the top 10 on Monday for the first time in 18 years. Alcaraz, a 19-year-old from Spain, rose into that spot a day after ending Daniil Medvedev’s 19-match winning streak by beating him in straight sets in the final at Indian Wells, California.
Ruud, who’s ranked number four, won his match against Ilya Ivashka 6-2, 6-3. He’ll face number 26 Botic van de Zandschulp tomorrow in the third round.
Number one American and number nine seed Taylor Fritz began his tournament campaign with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Emilio Nava. Fritz is 17-1 in his opening rounds of hard court tournaments since the start of 2022, with his only loss coming at the 2022 US Open to number 303 Brandon Holt.
Fritz will next face number 24 Denis Shapovalov, who defeated Guido Pella yesterday.
On the women’s side, Bianca Andreescu – the 2019 US Open champion – came from a set down to oust number seven seed Maria Sakkari 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. Andreescu improved to 2-1 over Sakkari, with both wins coming in Miami.
Andreescu will face Sofia Kenin in the third round.
Number two Aryna Sabalenka beat Shelby Rogers 6-4, 6-3 and extended her record to 4-0 versus Rogers. Sabalenka will face number 31 Marie Bouzková in the third round.
Number five Caroline Garcia lost to Sorana Cirstea 6-2, 6-3.
Cirstea beat Garcia 10 days ago in the fourth round at Indian Wells, and will face Karolína Muchová next.
In other action, Varvara Gracheva defeated number four Ons Jabeur 6-2, 6-2; and Jannik Sinner beat Laslo Đere 6-4, 6-2.
