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Camila Giorgi's campaign at the 2023 Miami Open commenced with a first-round fixture against World No. 57 Kaia Kanepi on Tuesday (March 21).
Giorgi went toe-to-toe with Kanepi in what was an intense encounter. After claiming the first set on a tie-break, Giorgi failed to get the job done in the second as the experienced Estonian pulled her way back into contention, winning the set again on a tie break.
With the match slowly drifting away from her, Giorgi was utterly frustrated. She eventually vented it out by throwing her racket into the middle of the court after an intense rally.
From there, the match went into a decisive third set. Giorgi started off on the front foot, appearing in complete control as she cruised to a 5-0 lead. However, a determined Kanepi yet again fought her way back, saving two match points to draw level at 5-5.
But it was Giorgi who claimed the final set after all, holding her nerves to get the better of Kanepi in her third tie-break of the day.
With all sets forced into tie-breaks (7-6(4), 6-7(4), 7-6(4)), the match lasted for three hours and 32 minutes, tying the record for the longest match of the season so far on the WTA Tour. Erika Andreeva's win against Harriet Dart (7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(3)) at the ATX Open in February lasted just as long.
Camila Giorgi will face Victoria Azarenka in the second round of Miami Open
Camila Giorgi will face yet another veteran in Victoria Azarenka in the Miami Open second-round at the Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday (March 22).
Azarenka earned direct qualification to the second round owing to her seeding. The two-time Grand Slam champion has not been in fine touch ever since her impressive run to the semifinals of the Australian Open at the start of the year. The 14th seed endured a Round of 64 exit at Indian Wells, falling to Karolina Muchova in straight sets.
Things are no different for Giorgi either. She entered the Miami Open on the back of an underwhelming campaign at Indian Wells, facing a second-round exit after losing against Jessica Pegula.
Camila Giorgi and Azarenka have met on three occasions on tour so far. Giorgi claimed wins in their first two meetings, defeating Azarenka at the 2014 Eastbourne International (4-6, 6-3, 7-5) and the 2018 Pan Pacific Open (5-3 retd.). But it was the Belarusian who emerged victorious (6-2, 6-2) in their most recent encounter at the 2019 Canadian Open.
