Ten of the world’s top tennis players have gathered in Miami Gardens, Florida for the 2025 Miami Open, marking the exciting second leg of the Sunshine Double tournament series.
This year, young rising stars Mirra Andreeva and Jack Draper have continued to build on their momentum after triumphing at the BNP Paribas Open in the previous week held in Indian Wells. While they look to add to their historical margins and become the latest players to achieve back-to-back victories in tennis, they face stiff competition due to the formidable line-up in both the men’s and women’s draws.
The action kicked off on March 19, as players began to settle into the tournament. In the midst of notable matches and emerging talents, two names stood out as lights of the event in its early stages—Victoria Mboko and Federico Cinà.
On the same day, Mboko, an 18-year-old sensation from Toronto, cracked into the record books by clinching her first WTA Tour match after defeating Colombia’s Camila Osorio in a nail-biting three-set match that lasted two hours and 34 minutes. Mboko wrapped up her victory with a scoreline of 7-5, 5-7, 6-3.
“I’m just so excited,” said an elated Mboko, who was proud of her resilience through a match that featured multiple lead changes and tight points.
“It was really tough but I managed to stay calm in the end and it feels amazing to get my first win here,” she added. She now carries a remarkable record of 28 wins against only one loss through the professional circuits so far this year. Mboko’s talents are gaining attention, and she will face the daunting task of playing world number 11 Paula Badosa in her upcoming second-round match.
Another bright star emerging on the Miami courts is the 17-year-old Federico Cinà. He made headlines after defeating Francisco Comesaña—currently ranked No. 67 in the world—earning not only his first ATP victory but also becoming the first player born in 2007 to win a match in a Masters 1000 tournament. His journey in tennis appears even more profound considering he is guided by expert coaching from his father, Francesco Cinà, who formerly trained notable players including Roberta Vinci and now provides formidable mentorship at the Cinà Tennis Institute in Palermo.
“I’m exhausted but very happy. I couldn’t even move due to cramps, but I kept fighting until the end. I wasn’t going to give up. I’m very excited to face Dimitrov,” Cinà expressed determinedly after his match.
As fans of the sport look on, Cinà’s impressive skills—across mobility and power—stood out in his performance, where he executed his shots with an admirable level of composure for his age. He now prepares to challenge veteran pro Grigor Dimitrov in what promises to be an electrifying clash.
Meanwhile, on the adjacent courts outside Hard Rock Stadium, the legendary Venus Williams was spotted enjoying the event as she practiced with fellow athlete Ons Jabeur. Although neither of them are competing for the doubles title at this year's event, both champions appeared relaxed and focused during their practice session.
Amidst the highlights, a pivotal match unfolded with Alexander Bublik taking on Sebastian Baez. Following a commendable performance where Bublik reached the finals in the Arizona Tennis Classic just prior to this event, there are high expectations on his ability to succeed against Baez, particularly since he made recent adjustments to his equipment.
“I feel good about this match,” Bublik noted in a recent statement regarding his prowess and training focus.
Another notable matchup included Learner Tien facing off against Joao Fonseca, with Fonseca moving ahead as a promising player. Yibing Wu also took to the court against Matteo Arnaldi, as both players seek an opportunity to advance.
In this atmosphere of competitive spirit, Aleksandar Kovacevic faced Miomir Kecmanovic, marking a return for Kovacevic after a successful run at the Cap Cana Challenger. Although Kecmanovic dealt with recent only losses, Kovacevic carried in momentum from a title win, bringing an edge to their encounter.
The Miami Open continues to unfold with electrifying matches and burgeoning prospects in the tennis world. The stage is set for an unforgettable tournament as fans witness young talents, seasoned pros, and entrenched rivalries merge on the courts of southern Florida. With excitement building, tennis enthusiasts eagerly await the contests yet to come and the potential for new champions to arise.
