As spectators gathered for a thrilling day of tennis at the 2023 Miami Open on Wednesday, the weather had other plans.
Unyielding rain dampened the spirits of tennis fans as it forced the suspension of several key matches, leaving the upcoming schedule packed to the brim. The day started off with a bang as Sorana Cirstea delivered a jaw-dropping upset against Aryna Sabalenka, leaving the crowd buzzing with excitement.
Shortly after, Jannik Sinner and Emil Ruusuvuori took the court, only to face an unexpected opponent – a torrential downpour that halted their match for over two hours. Despite the unfavorable conditions, Sinner emerged victorious in this rain-marred battle.
Hopes were high for the following match-up between Petra Kvitova and Ekaterina Alexandrova, with both players ready to showcase their prowess on the court. Likewise, anticipation filled the air for the clash between world no. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and world no. 10 Taylor Fritz.
However, as the rain persisted, officials had no choice but to postpone these highly anticipated showdowns to Thursday, adding to an already congested lineup.
The unforeseen weather disruption at the Miami Open has certainly put both players and organizers to the test. With a full slate of rescheduled matches on the horizon, the pressure is on for everyone involved to navigate the challenges posed by this unpredictable turn of events.
On Thursday, fans in the Miami Gardens will get to see three men's quarterfinal matches, including the rescheduled clash between Alcaraz and Fritz but also matches between Karen Khachanov and Francisco Cerundolo, and Daniil Medvedev and Christopher Eubanks.
In the women's event, Kvitova and Alexandrova will start off with a quarterfinal match, but later on the day, Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula will play the semifinals.