Swiatek, Sabalenka, Gauff bundled out

MIAMI – World number one Iga Swiatek was knocked out of the Miami Open after inspired Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova triumphed 6-4, 6-2 in their fourth round match on Monday.

The 16th seed Alexandrova played brilliant attacking tennis from the outset to beat the Pole and leave the WTA tournament without any of the top three seeds in the quarterfinals with Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff also out.

France’s Caroline Garcia upset world number three Gauff, 6-3, 1-6, 6-2, while world number two Sabalenka had been eliminated by Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina on Saturday.

Swiatek never looked comfortable after Alexandrova broke her in the opening game and took control of proceedings with some outstanding, attacking tennis.

Meanwhile, men’s top seed Carlos Alcaraz powered into the fourth round with a 6-2, 6-4 win over French veteran Gael Monfils.

The 37-year-old Monfils was coping well with the power play of the talented Spaniard until he hurt his ankle in the fifth game. Monfils carried on bravely, bringing out some wonderful defensive shots from Alcaraz.