Sinner and Sabalenka Advance at Miami Open as Seeds Fall

Defending champions face uphill battle as tournament sees major upsets

Mar. 24, 2026 at 7:54am

Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka continued their strong runs at the 2026 Miami Open on Monday, securing emphatic victories as they pursue the coveted "Sunshine Double" title. However, the tournament has also seen a number of seeded players crash out unexpectedly, setting up an unpredictable path to the finals.

Why it matters

The Miami Open is one of the most prestigious events on the tennis calendar, and winning the "Sunshine Double" by capturing both the Indian Wells and Miami titles is considered a major accomplishment. Sinner and Sabalenka's continued success could set them up for a historic run, while the upsets of other top seeds have opened the door for new contenders to emerge.

The details

Sinner, the 5th seed, and Sabalenka, the 3rd seed, both won their matches convincingly on Monday to advance to the next round. However, several other highly ranked players, including the defending men's champion Jakub Me, suffered surprising defeats, shaking up the tournament bracket.

  • The 2026 Miami Open is currently underway, with the tournament running from March 18 to April 5.
  • Monday's matches took place on March 24, 2026.

The players

Jannik Sinner

A 24-year-old Italian tennis player currently ranked 5th in the world.

Aryna Sabalenka

A 28-year-old Belarusian tennis player currently ranked 3rd in the world.

Jakub Me

The defending men's champion at the 2026 Miami Open.

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What they’re saying

“I'm just trying to stay focused and take it one match at a time. There's still a long way to go, but I'm feeling good about my game right now.”

— Jannik Sinner

“The conditions here in Miami are always a challenge, but I'm glad I was able to overcome them today. I'm looking forward to the next round.”

— Aryna Sabalenka

What’s next

The tournament will continue throughout the week, with the quarterfinals scheduled for March 31 and the semifinals on April 2. The men's and women's finals are set for April 5.

The takeaway

The early upsets at the 2026 Miami Open have created an unpredictable and wide-open tournament, with Sinner and Sabalenka emerging as two of the favorites to potentially capture the prestigious "Sunshine Double" title.