Sinner, Cirstea Clinch Miami Open Semifinal Spot

Only two singles matches were finished this Wednesday due to rain

by Daniel Perisse

Miami Gardens, FL (March 29, 2023) – Jannik Sinner and Sorana Cirstea were the only two singles players able to finish their matches this Wednesday at the Miami Open presented by Itaú, as rain canceled the rest of play for the day.

Sinner needed only 1 hour and 14 minutes to edge Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori 6-3, 6-1, and advance to the men’s singles semifinals. Not even a two-hour rain delay – the first of the day – made the Italian lose focus, as he was already leading 6-3, 2-0, and gave no chances for his rival to get back into the match.

“I think we both have a little bit similar play style, no? We both play a little bit flat the ball. Today I just won important points, especially in the first set, so I’m happy about my level of play. Still was not easy, after the rain was a little bit different, but I think I adapted myself very well,” explained the Italian.

This was the fifth time the Finnish lost to the World’s No. 11 player, who now has a 20-4 record in 2023. In Miami, the 21-year-old is 12-2.

Sinner waits for the winner of the match between Taylor Fritz and Carlos Alcaraz, which was canceled.

Also in the Stadium, unseeded Sorana Cirstea booked a spot in the women’s singles semifinal after upsetting Aryna Sabalenka, the No. 2 seed, 6-4, 6-4.

This is the first time in ten years that the 32-year-old Romanian reached at least the semifinal of a WTA 1000 – the last was in 2013 when she lost the Toronto final to Serena Williams.

“Of course, I’m happy to win against Aryna because she’s been playing great lately. She’s probably one of the two or three best in-form players. Of course, this gives me confidence,” affirmed Cirstea during her press conference after the match.

Speaking of confidence, the Romanian is on a roll in Miami, having beaten France’s Caroline Garcia, the No. 5 seed, in consecutive tournaments, after doing the same in Indian Wells and beating Czechs Karolina Muchova and Marketa Vondrousova, two former top 20 players.

This was the first time the Romanian faced Sabalenka in her career. On her turn, World No. 2 explained she was struggling with the weather.

“Yeah, it wasn’t my best match. I was struggling a lot with the conditions, like the heat. I felt like the balls were flying too much, and I couldn’t find control or how to control the ball. Yeah, was just trying to do my best until the last point. Unfortunately, I couldn’t adjust to these conditions. Next time I will try better.”

Cirstea now plays against Czech Petra Kvitova or Ekaterina Alexandrova. Their quarterfinal match will happen tomorrow.

You can follow all the results and the men’s and women’s singles and doubles draws here.

Download the order of play for tomorrow and get your tickets here.