British Hopes Dashed in Miami as Norrie and Boulter Exit

The Miami Open saw the end of British participation as Cameron Norrie, Katie Boulter, and Fran Jones were all eliminated on Saturday. Boulter suffered a straight-sets loss to 13th seed Karolina Muchova, 6-3, 7-5, in the third round, while Norrie and Jones were ousted in the second round. Norrie, the British number one and 23rd seed, was defeated by American Alex Michelsen, 7-5, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, after earning a first-round bye. Jones, however, withdrew from her match against fifth seed Jessica Pegula due to illness, having earlier spoken about not feeling well before her opening win over Venus Williams. The American had taken the first set 6-1 and was leading 3-0 in the second when Jones decided to withdraw. Elsewhere, second seed Jannik Sinner easily beat Damir Dzumhur in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, as he aims to achieve the 'Sunshine Double' after his win in Indian Wells. Alexander Zverev cruised past wildcard Martin Damm, 6-2, 6-4, to set up a clash with Marin Cilic, while Alexander Shevchenko upset eighth seed Ben Shelton, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3. Frances Tiafoe overcame Arthur Cazaux in straight sets, and former champion Daniil Medvedev battled back from a set down to beat Rei Sakamoto, 6-7 (10-12), 6-3, 6-1. Alejandro Tabilo fought back from one set down to beat Andrey Rublev, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-4, and 17-year-old Moise Kouame's run was ended by 21st seed Jiri Lehecka, 6-2, 7-5. In the women's draw, fourth seed Coco Gauff came back from a dropped first set to defeat Alycia Parks, 3-6, 6-0, 6-1. Amanda Anisimova beat Yuliia Starodubtseva, 6-4, 6-2, and Victoria Mboko held on for a 6-1, 7-5 win over Anastasia Zakharova.