Australia’s Talia Gibson keeps racking up the Sunshine Swing wins.
After winning six matches (two qualifiers and four main draw) in Indian Wells, Gibson has backed that up with another five wins (two qualifiers and three main draw) in Miami.
In the third round Gibson dominated Iva Jovic and took the match 6-2, 6-2.
Jovic, the no. 18 seed had earlier this season reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, however the young American has struggled a bit in recent times, including a first match loss in round two in Indian Wells.
Both players came out in all white outfits as would be seen at Wimbledon.
Jovic served in the first game of the match and was up 30-15. On the next point the American had worked her way into the net after Gibson had just floated back a return. After being in a dominant position, Jovic went for a big swing volley that she hit half way up the net.
Gibson would then hit a winner to earn a break point, before an unforced error from Jovic where she sent a forehand wide and long to give Gibson the game.
Early on you could see that Gibson possessed more power than Jovic and that would help her consolidate the break to lead 2-0. Game point was a great example of Gibson’s placement, finding the corner of the court for a winner.
Jovic got on the board in the next game, and Gibson held for a 3-1 lead.
A great wide serve came from Jovic at deuce in the seventh game. Gibson stretched wide to rocket a return winner for a break point opportunity, it was converted to see Gibson serving for the set.
Gibson was taken to deuce before holding to claim the opening set.
In the opening game of the second set, Jovic was down 0-30, and then 0-40 after hitting long. Back-to-back Aces saved two break points befor Jovic hit wide to concede the early break. Gibson held to lead 2-0.
Another break point came after a great rally from both players saw Gibson finally force and error. A second serve was not taken advantage of by Gibson and Jovic would eventually hit a winner to stay in the game.
A big return from Gibson, a feature of her game, got the Australian back to deuce after hitting a winner. Again, Gibson returned well, this time with a backhand and a forced error from Jovic saw Gibson with yet another break point.
Big hitting from the Australian saw her work her way to the net, a backhand down the line clipped the net and landed in court for a winner, and the break. It was now 3-0.
Another comfortable service hold for Gibson and she was racing towards a round four appearance in back to back WTA 1000 events.
Gibson held to love in the sixth game to take her lead to 5-1. Jovic held to make Gibson serve for the match.
The Australian took the opening point with a winner. A service return into the net from Jovic and it was 30-0.
A big serve and then another winner and it was Gibson at 40-0. The Australian missed a shot down the line which would have given her the match but then a big first serve that Jovic just managed to reach and get over the net. The ball bounced high near the net and Gibson smashed it away to claim the match.
It was yet another top-20 victory for the Australian as she raced into the fourth round.
Elena Rybakina won her match later in the day to setup a highly anticipated fourth round match.
The way Gibson is playing a win is possible, but it is a big ask for the 21-year-old Australian.