Nick Kyrgios thinks he knows the reason why Aryna Sabalenka usually struggles at the Miami Open and has never won it

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Aryna Sabalenka breezed through her opening match in Miami as she looks to achieve a career-best result in the Sunshine State.

World number one Sabalenka took down Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0 to advance to the second round in Miami.

The Belarussian is yet to win a WTA 1000 title this year, most recently coming up short in the Indian Wells final as Sabalenka lost to Mirra Andreeva, 6-2, 4-6, 3-6.

Hoping to go one better at the Miami Open, the 26-year-old will no doubt be aware of her previous shortcomings at the event.

One top ATP star has now shared his theory on why Sabalenka has struggled in Florida over the years, following his first-round win.

Nick Kyrgios says the Miami Open courts are ‘really fast’ and thinks that is why Aryna Sabalenka struggles

Speaking to the Tennis Channel after his win over Mackenzie McDonald, Nick Kyrgios explained how the conditions in Miami don’t necessarily suit Sabalenka.

“These courts are so fast,” he said.

“That is probably why [Aryna] Sabalenka hasn’t had that much success.

“She has big swings and it’s really fast out there, so I am not surprised this is one of the weeks where she struggles.”

Kyrgios was delighted to have secured his first tour-level win since 2022, as he continues to enjoy the conditions at the Miami Open.

“This was my most successful Masters event and I used to win here a fair bit but I have never felt so good after a first-round win, especially over an opponent like [McDonald],” he said.

“[The] ball was coming through fast yesterday so it was a good win.”

Kyrgios will now take on Russia’s Karen Khachanov in the second round, while Sabalenka prepares to face off against Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the third.

Aryna Sabalenka’s struggles at the Miami Open

The Miami Open hasn’t been kind to Sabalenka over the years and remains her second least successful WTA 1000 event.

Sabalenka lost in the third round of the Miami Open last year, as she failed to impress at the event once more.

• 2024 Miami Open 3R – Aryna Sabalenka lost to Anhelina Kalinina, 4-6, 6-1, 1-6
• 2023 Miami Open QF – Aryna Sabalenka lost to Sorana Cirstea, 4-6, 4-6
• 2022 Miami Open 2R – Aryna Sabalenka lost to Irina-Camelia Begu, 4-6, 4-6
• 2021 Miami Open QF – Aryna Sabalenka lost to Ash Barty, 4-6, 7-6, 3-6
• 2019 Miami Open 2R – Aryna Sabalenka lost to Ajla Tomljanovic, 3-6, 4-6
• 2018 Miami Open 2R – Aryna Sabalenka lost to Petra Kvitova, 5-7, 6-3, 3-6

The world number one came closest to reaching the Miami Open semi-finals four years ago when she took Australia’s Ash Barty to a deciding set.

Narrowly coming up short, 4-6, 7-6, 6-3, Sabalenka fell to defeat, as her poor run of form continued.

Aryna Sabalenka’s potential route to the 2025 Miami Open title

A player of Sabalenka’s calibre will likely have ambitions of winning the event, regardless of her previous results in Miami.

Her route to the final won’t be easy, however, as she could potentially be set to take on some of the WTA Tour’s biggest names.

• 3R v Elena-Gabriela Ruse
• 4R v Danielle Collins [14]
• QF v Qinwen Zheng [9]
• SF v Coco Gauff [3]
• F v Iga Swiatek [2]

Defending champion Danielle Collins could await Sabalenka in the next round should she beat Ruse, with a tough test against Qinwen Zheng following in the quarter-finals.

Home favorite Coco Gauff and fierce rival Iga Swiatek could be next for Sabalenka, as she’d have to run a gauntlet of top WTA stars if she wants to pick up a maiden Miami Open title.

She won’t want to get too far ahead of herself, however, as she first gets set to take on Ruse in the third round on Sunday, March 23.