Linette powers through to upset Azarenka in three sets at Miami Open.

Magda Linette celebrates her win over Victoria Azarenka at the Miami Open. 

Magda Linette put on a stellar performance to break ahead at the Miami Open Saturday. In a tight one against Victoria Azarenka, who she never won a set against, the Pole forced three out of her to win 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-4 on Butch Buchholz court at the Hard Rock Stadium. The 20th seed put a grip on her offense and kept her opponent back with the help of the Polish contingency.

This was the third meeting between the two and the first since 2021 when the Pole bowed out in the second set at Indian Wells two years ago. She previously lost to Azarenka the year she went on to achieve the sunshine double. Keeping her opening round streak alive at 14, the former world number one handled Camila Giorgi to set herself up with Linette and push forward. The Pole overcame a deficit against Evgeniya Rodina in the second set to take it in straight sets. Despite some troubles, she knew that a good start from her end would fare well against the former world number one.

The 31-year-old held Azarenka back on serve, denying her any chance on deuce. The 14th seed started well with a 40-0 break, but let her success slip away and play things beyond deuce. Stopping a break chance from Linette allowed her to clear out the service game and watch the Pole hold serve comfortably in the third. The next three games went the way of the player’s serves, with Azarenka suffering a couple of double faults. She overcame her troubles in the sixth, pulling off a break to love of Linette for the lead.

The 33-year-old consolidated the break in the eighth, putting Linette in a tight spot while dealing with a problem on the serve. She secured the ninth to avoid breaking the set, finding a way to challenge Azarenka, who served for it. She managed to break back for a five-all score earning new life in her fight to steal the set. The 20th seed broke ahead 40-0 on serve but things got tight against her opponent. Before deuce could come to fruition, Linette held off the threat to lead 6-5 and feel confident in the late stages.

Azarenka matched the Pole to force a first-set tiebreak where the competition remained tight between the tennis veterans. After trading off the first six points, Linette caught a break and kept the breaks on Azarenka while she dictated. Gaining four set points, the 31-year-old captured a double break to take the first set in one hour and three minutes.

Linette was feeling great going into the second set, winning two more to make it six of the last eight games decided. Azarenka held the third, but not without a fight from the Pole, who waited for her moment to strike out breaks. The 33-year-old dealt with a couple in the fifth, but secured the hold of serve, getting ahead of Linette. The Pole had a moment during the seventh where she bent her ankle a little too much, causing her to wince in pain. Azarenka took advantage to break the Pole and lead 4-2, eyeing a potential third set.

The 14th seed rallied to 5-2 with Linette on the hot seat to remain in the set. Azarenka put the heat on, reaching a set point only to be denied. It only took two breaks on deuce to get the job done in 29 minutes, leaving a chance to still take the win or fall to Linette. Azarenka set the bar with a serve to love and broke Linette for the early lead. She then watched her opponent win the next four straight before finding a way to put the brakes on in the seventh.

The win on serve was only temporary for Azarenka, who watched Linette hold serve in the eighth. The 14th seed rallied to control her serve in the ninth to keep the Pole from breaking for the match. She held a game point in her favor, leaving luck to play out for either player. The 20th seed played the tenth game with patience, going point by point until she had three match points. One went long of the baseline and the second attempt into the net. Her third attempt landed long off the baseline near Azarenka’s feet to force deuce.

Linette continued on in the game, gaining her fourth on an erred return from the 14th seed. Her moment arrived on a sliced return by Azarenka bringing an end to a thrilling 2 hours and 27 minutes on the court.