MIAMI, March 28, 2018 - Sloane Stephens knocked out number 10 seed Angelique Kerber in a straight sets upset. The three-times champion got off to a strong start, breaking her opponent twice in the opening set, but the number five seed dug deep to take three games in a row and tie the set at 5-5. From there, Pliskova gifted Azarenka a break after her fourth double fault and on her fifth set point, Azarenka converted for the early lead. Pliskova's problems on her second serve continued in the second set and despite back-and-forth breaks, Azarenka continued to apply the pressure to seal the match in an hour and a half. Speaking on the court after the match, she said: "It wasn't easy. Karolina is a very good player. I felt like I had a very good lead and I let it go – she really stepped it up so I had to fight back." She will now face US Open champion Sloane Stephens, who brushed aside Angelique Kerber in straight sets to advance to her first semi-final place since her victory in New York. The American stunned the number 10 seed with a forceful forehand despite windy conditions, notching up 11 winners in the 23-minute first set, and going on to claim a 6-1 6-2 victory in just over one hour on court. Meanwhile, Juan Martin del Potro is aiming for his second title in as many tournaments. The towering Argentinean extended his winning streak to 14 matches as he defeated Filip Krajinovic to reach the quarter-finals of the Miami Open. The world number six's excellent run of form continued as he fought back from 1-4 down in the first set to beat the 22nd seed 6-4 6-2. The Argentinian, on the back of his triumph at Indian Wells, improves his record to a career best 20-3 start to the year. He will now go on to face Milos Raonic, who overcame Jeremy Chardy 6-3 6-4, winning 85% of his first service points and winning a break in the final game to see out the match. Croatia's Borna Coric, meanwhile, denied Denis Shapovalov a place in the last eight, beating the Canadian 7-6 (7/2) 4-6 6-4 after two hours, 17 minutes on court. A 33-shot rally in the third set saw Coric move ahead before three double faults from his 18-year-old opponent gave him the opportunity to seize on two match points.
