Gibson’s Miami Open Journey Halted by Rybakina
Australian tennis player Talia Gibson’s notable performance at the Miami Open concluded with a 6-2, 6-2 defeat against world No. 2 and two-time Grand Slam champion Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan.
The 21-year-old Gibson, who had advanced through two qualifying rounds in Florida and secured victories over Czech Sara Bejlek, Japan’s four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, and American teenage talent Iva Jovic in the main draw, was unable to overcome Rybakina in the last 16.
Coming off a quarter-final appearance at Indian Wells the previous week, Gibson was broken in the opening game and again in the seventh game, resulting in a first set loss. In the second set, she was broken at 2-2 and 4-2. Rybakina, who was the Miami Open runner-up in both 2024 and 2025, faced only one break point throughout the match and successfully saved it, securing her place in the quarter-finals after 62 minutes of play.
Other Notable Results at Miami Open
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and fifth seed Jessica Pegula also advanced with straight-sets victories. Sabalenka defeated Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 6-4, while Pegula overcame Jaqueline Cristian 6-4, 6-1.
Earlier on Monday (Tuesday AEDT), 10th-seeded Mboko, following her loss in the Adelaide International final to teenager Mirra Andreeva, prepared for a quarter-final rematch against Czech Karolina Muchova, who had beaten her in the Qatar final last month. Muchova, seeded 13th, had defeated 20-year-old Philippines player and world No. 29 Alexandra Eala 6-0, 6-2.
Fourth seed Coco Gauff, winner of the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open, prevailed over Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to set up a quarter-final against Belinda Bencic, who defeated sixth seed Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 6-2.
Iga Swiatek Ends Coaching Partnership with Wim Fissette
Meanwhile, world No. 3 Iga Swiatek announced the end of her coaching relationship with Wim Fissette following a challenging start to the 2025 season, which included an unexpected early exit in Florida.
The 24-year-old Polish player, who began working with the Belgian coach in October 2024, stated she would pursue a different direction after their 17-month collaboration, which included her first Wimbledon title last year. Her loss on Thursday to world No. 50 and fellow Polish player Magda Linette marked a turning point.
“Miami was challenging for me. I feel disappointment, bitterness and responsibility for my performance on the court,” Swiatek wrote in a social media post. “I’m grateful for [Fissette’s] support, experience, and everything we achieved together, including one of my biggest dreams in sport.”
