Australia’s Talia Gibson has again shown great form to reach the main draw in Miami.
Gibson came up against world no. 41 Sara Bejlek in the opening round after having reached the quarterfinals at Indian Wells after again having to qualify.
Bejlek recently won the WTA 500 title in Abu Dhabi before having to withdraw from a round two match the following week in Dubai. The Czech player suffered an abdominal injury and was only just now making a comeback.
Gibson, high on confidence after again qualifying raced through the match to win 6-1, 6-0.
The Australian had broken early but then was broken herself, before again breaking and then running away with the match.
Gibson serving at 5-1 to take the first set stumbled a bit, however still got the job done.
The Australian is now at no. 63 on the live rankings which places her second amongst the Australian women.
With Australia’s top-ranked female player, Maya Joint sitting out the tournament due to a back injury, Gibson is now the highest ranked Australian female in the tournament.
The 21-year-old faces a big test in round two when she faces former world no. 1 Naomi Osaka.
Based on recent form the Australian is in with a shot at moving past Osaka.
Osaka leads the head-to-head 1-0 after defeating Gibson 6-4, 7-6(4) in the opening round of the 2025 Wimbledon tournament.
Tomljanovic faces tough test
Another Australian in round 2, Ajla Tomljanovic will play world no. 6 Amanda Anisimova.
Tomljanovic had advanced to the second round after defeating Swiss player Simona Waltert 6-3, 6-4.
A win is possible if Tomljanovic is at the top of her game and Anisimova is not playing at her best.
Wildcard recipient Emerson Jones came back from a set down to defeat qualifier Linda Fruhvirtova 3-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(4).
The win earned the former world no. 1 junior a round two match against in form Elina Svitolina, the world no. 8.