[8] Venus Williams (USA) vs. [20] Kiki Bertens (NED)
Williams started off on fire, racing out to a 5-0 lead and then the wheels came off. Sometimes when a task seems too easy, the mind wanders; however, this is not something you expect from the champion in Williams. Frankly I watched the match baffled as to why she suddenly and inexplicably lost her way. She lost the first set and was forced to work hard to get the victory (5-7, 6-3, 7-5).
It’s concerning, given her underlying chronic medical condition, that she expended so much physical and mental energy to get the win and has to play again tomorrow. Johanna Konta, the defending champion, will be looking to take advantage of her potential exhaustion. It will be another tough match for the American, as Konta is even in their head-to-head.
PUIG BACKS UP HER BIG WIN
[52] Maria Sakkari (GRE) vs. [82] Monica Puig (PUR)
Sometimes it takes a big victory to jump-start your season and beating the reigning Australian Open champion and former number one ranked player, Caroline Wozniacki, seems to have done the trick for Puig. Nice to see her stringing some wins together at the Premier level.
The first set was fairly straight forward; she defended her serve well and saved all three break points against her serve. The second set was a much more complicated affair as they traded breaks a few times before Puig finally got the upper hand and secured the 6-3, 7-5 victory. She will play the American, Danielle Collins, in the next round.
COLLINS CONTINUES TO IMPRESS IN MIAMI
[55] Donna Vekic (CRO) vs. [93] Danielle Collins (USA)
Collins is building on her form from Indian Wells. After dropping the first set 4-6, the American dug her heels in and won 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. Vekic suffered an injury early in the second set and was compromised for the remainder of the match.
SOURCE OF IMAGES: Zimbio.com (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America: Venus Williams; Al Bello/Getty Images North America: Monica Puig)
