Muchova survives a scare
Karolina Muchova edged Victoria Mboko 7‑5, 7‑6(5) in a tight quarterfinal to reach the Miami Open semifinals (olympics.com). She’ll face the winner of Coco Gauff vs. Belinda Bencic next—big tactical matchup looming (sportstar.thehindu.com).
Muchova’s quarterfinal in Miami lasted 1 hour 47 minutes and hinged on a single crucial escape — she saved a set point serving at 5-4 in the second set and converted the match’s only break to close the contest. (wtatennis.com) The Czech hit 31 winners while her opponent committed 24 unforced errors, 14 of them in the opening set and 13 from the forehand wing, a disparity that underpinned Muchova’s control in key moments. (tenniscanada.com) Serve numbers were striking: Muchova landed 70% first serves compared with Mboko’s 78%, and Muchova faced just two break points across the match, saving both. (wtatennis.com) The win pushed Muchova’s 2026 record to 18-3 and into her ninth career semifinal at WTA 1000 level or above, extending a run that included her Doha WTA 1000 title over the same opponent last month. (wtatennis.com) Coco Gauff beat Belinda Bencic 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 in a 2-hour 15-minute quarterfinal — rallying to win the last four games — and the Muchova vs. Gauff semifinal is scheduled for Thursday, March 26 on the Miami Open order of play. (wtatennis.com)
