RESULTS

Miami Open presented by Itaú move to Miami Gardens after years of failed attempts to improve its facilities at Crandon Park has proven to be successful. IMG and Dolphins owner Stephen Ross spent over 72 million to transform it into a state-of-the-art tennis venue. According to Sam Henderson, IMG U.S. Communications Director, Miami Open set numerous attendance records through out the 2 week tennis event including: Sunday's attendance was 17,373 setting a men’s final attendance record (old record was 14,625 in 2011) Overall attendance was 388,734 setting a tournament record (old record was 326,131 in 2012) The tournament set 15 session attendance records over the last two weeks Session 9 attendance of 32,831 set an all-time session attendance record Prior to 2019 the old session record was 18,910 in 2007 The women’s singles and men’s doubles final drew a crowd of more than 16,000, recording the Miami Open’s 14th session record.

A look at LACOSTE's exclusive co-branded Miami Open collection including LACOSTE’s Spring/Summer 2019 apparel, footwear, and accessories collections for men, women, and children. Plus, check out Novak Djokovic’s exclusive collection on LACOSTE.com. The line is also sold at LACOSTE Aventura, Boca Raton, and Lincoln Road boutiques in the Miami area. The co-branded collection ranges from $40 to $155 and is available at LACOSTE's online store. By Miami Living, Images courtesy of LACOSTE

LACOSTE, the official apparel and footwear sponsor of the Miami Open presented by Itaú, has renewed its partnership with the event and will continue to dress tournament staff, officials, linesmen, lineswomen and ball kids in its signature French elegance through the 2024 tournament. “LACOSTE has been an amazing tournament partner since day one of their sponsorship, and we couldn’t be more pleased to have them continue with us for another five years,” said James Blake, Miami Open Tournament Director. “LACOSTE has a rich tennis heritage and their apparel is synonymous with style and elegance.” “We are excited to continue our sponsorship of the Miami Open presented by Itaú in Florida, a key market for the brand in the U.S.,” said Joëlle Grünberg, President and CEO of LACOSTE North and Central America. “The tournament has resonated strongly with LACOSTE and our tennis ambassadors as we continue to reinforce our tennis heritage in the U.S.” The French apparel brand will continue to celebrate its partnership with the Miami Open both on and off the courts with a co-branded collection that will be available at the tournament and in LACOSTE boutiques around Miami. The collection gathers colorful pieces to celebrate the Miami way of life. Some LACOSTE sponsored players expected to play the 2019 Miami Open include World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Hyeon Chung, Roberto Bautista-Agut, Dominika Cibulková, Benoît Paire, Guillermo Garcia Lopez, Christina McHale, Jérémy Chardy, Pierre-Hugues Herbert, Pablo Cuevas, Denis Kudla, Nicolas Mahut, Kristie Ahn, Filip Krajinović, Marius Copil, Anett Kontaveit, and Bernarda Pera. LACOSTE joins the Miami Open presenting sponsor Itaú as global brands to sign multi-year renewals with the tournament prior to its move to Hard Rock Stadium in 2019. Construction continues to move along quickly and the new tennis complex will provide an unparalleled experience for all guests that will transcend sports. The improved amenities will include best‐in‐class hospitality, permanent infrastructure and new entertainment spaces, and will allow the tournament to host a true lifestyle and entertainment event featuring the best in art, food, fashion and music. Scheduled for March 18 – 31, 2019, the Miami Open will become the center of the sports and entertainment world as the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova and Sloane Stephens descend on Hard Rock Stadium for a two-week extravaganza. To purchase tickets, go to www.MiamiOpen.comor call 305-943-6736. ​

LACOSTE VIP tennis clinic was offered to Miami Living Magazine at the Miami Open presented by Itaú. The clinic was led by LACOSTE ambassador Cameron Lickle, 2003 naval academy graduate and co-founder of the tennis experience ‘Wilander on Wheels’ with former #1 tennis player in the world, Mats Wilander. The clinic provided tennis advice and training followed by lunch in the LACOSTE VIP suite. LACOSTE also celebrated the tournament both on and off the courts, releasing a co-branded Miami Open collection in addition to exciting activations throughout Miami. Visitors can select from a variety of Miami Open exclusive patches and monogramming options to personalize their favorite LACOSTE polo, shirt or sweatshirt purchase. The co-branded collection ranges from $40 to $155. LACOSTE's latest collection is available at LACOSTE.com.

Earlier this week Novak Djokovic, Kyle Edmund, Kiki Bertens visited Hard Rock Stadium's suites including title sponsor Itaú, 72 Club by Ultimate Software, The Nine suites and more.

Tuesday evening’s Session 16 match between Roger Federer and Daniil Medvedev at the Miami Open has been postponed due to inclement weather. The match has been rescheduled for Wednesday, March 27, Session 17 not before 3pm. Individual ticket holders for Session 16 may exchange their tickets for either Session 17 or Session 18 best available stadium seating (March 27) at designated ticket windows at the SE box office beginning at 9am on Wednesday. Session 16 parking passes will be accepted for Session 17 or 18 at their appropriate entry gates. For more information, contact the Miami Open Ticket Office at 305-943-6736.

The Miami Open is elevating its culinary game - with the iconic Italian eatery Casa Tua serving up delicious cuisine and cocktails at a Pop-Up Casa Tua Cucina Restaurant and a VIP Casa Tua Courtside Club. CASA TUA CUCINA POP-UP Miami Open attendees can dine on the best dishes from the Casa Tua Cucina outpost at Saks Brickell City Centre – with a Pasta Station, Salad Station and Focaccia Station –  from March 18th – 31st. Indulge your taste buds with cacio e pepe and pasta with pomodoro, take your pick of assorted Focaccia’s with cheeses, prosciutto and black truffle oil, or keep it light with fresh salads including burrata and nicoise. Cocktails will include refreshing Italian classics including Aperol Spritzes and more. CASA TUA COURTSIDE CLUB Located in the main stadium, the Casa Tua Courtside Club is the place to be for Miami Open VIP’s. Courtside ticket-holders and Casa Tua members have special access to the exclusive experience. Beginning weekdays at 4PM and weekends at 1PM, Casa Tua will alter the courtside ambiance with a pop-up version of its very own private members club – with a DJ, champagne by Dom Perignon, Casa Tua cocktails + complimentary bites.

The world number 54, Hubert Hurkacz from Poland, shares smiles with his team after eliminating Indian Wells champion Dominic Thiem in straights sets. Hurkacz played clean, aggressive tennis to defeat the 4th seed.

WTA world No. 9 Aryna Sabalenka and ATP doubles legends Bob and Mike Bryan visited Baptist Children’s Hospital and Miami Cancer Instituteas part of the event’s Miami Open Unites program. During their time at the hospital, the three tennis stars visited with patients and staff, handed out toys, posed for pictures and signed autographs. “This is such an uplifting experience,” said Mike Bryan, winner of 117 career doubles titles with his brother Bob. “Meeting some of these kids that have cancer and to see how brave they are inspires us.” He added, “The atmosphere here is so positive. It’s good to see these kids are in a good environment to heal up.” Baptist Health is the Official Health Care provider of the Miami Open. A long-time partner of the event, Baptist Health has renewed its sponsorship of the tournament through 2021. “Having long-time partners like Baptist Health is one of the things that makes this event so special,” said James Blake, Miami Open Tournament Director. “The tournament’s future at our new home is very exciting and we are so happy that Baptist Health has chosen to renew its partnership with us.” Tickets to the 2019 Miami Open are on sale now and available by phone at 305-943-6736 or online atwww.miamiopen.com. Individual session tickets start at just $28 so get your tickets today. Ticket packages, group programs, and luxury hospitality offerings also are available.

Q. Domi is such a familiar opponent to you. Was that any kind of comfort to play someone that you knew so well in a venue that is so new that you've never been to before? VICTORIA AZARENKA: I mean, I don't know about comfort level, because I knew she's a big fighter. Even though we know each other pretty well, I feel that we haven't played in a few years. I feel the last time was actually in Miami but five years ago or so. She's a very dangerous opponent, because no matter how many, she comes off confident or not confident against top players, she's always bringing a little bit of a next level and good game. She's a big fighter. So I knew it's not going to be easy, for sure. Q. What did you make of the conditions out there? I think Petra in her interview earlier said it's like a stadium within a stadium. Curious what your thoughts are on it. VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, I think the stadium is beautiful. I think the logistics here work out pretty well. I feel the expansion of the tournament was, first of all, really necessary. I think they have done a great job with organizing and, you know, looks like incredible fan experience, as well, here for players. There is a lot more room. There is a lot better facilities. So I'm pretty happy. I think maybe further down, the tournament, it would be wiser to start the matches at 1:00 because of the shade, you know, right, starts to move right across, which is -- you know, it's for both players, but I feel like probably for TV and for players would be more comforting, because at 1:00 already there is no shade and we can play without any things like that. Q. You've played so many close matches this year. What do you think helped you get over the finish line today? VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think, you know, the kind of losses that I had in the beginning of the year is something that I'm trying to build from, because that's where you kind of learn most. I had a pretty close match, last one in Acapulco, which I was also serving for the match and I didn't convert that opportunity. So today it was a different story, and I'm happy with that progress, because, you know, as much as you want to be on the roll and winning easy matches, it never happens this way. Q. You did stay in Acapulco and won the doubles title. Did that help you at all? VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, right now the match experience, the playing, for me, it's all good practice, because I'm trying to build the confidence, trying to build the momentum, singles or doubles. It helps both, because there is no other practice like match practice. So I'm happy to be playing doubles right now. Always been pretty good in doubles and in mixed, and it's fun. I'm trying to get extra practice with playing that. Q. Did you put any thought to being the first player to win an official match on this stadium? It's a big deal in Miami to have everything here in Hard Rock Stadium. I was wondering if before the match you were thinking about it, just kind of being the first player to win here. VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, you know, they asked me the same question on the court, and it's a huge honor for me to be able to be the first player to cut the ribbon, let's say, let's say it that way. I knew I would be playing the first match last week. You know, the tournament asked me if I would be happy, and I was really happy that they asked me to play. It's incredible stadium. As I said, the facilities are amazing, and I hope this tournament is only going to grow. Yeah, I was really honored to play. Q. You might have Caroline Garcia next. What makes her tough as an opponent? VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, we played, I think it was the first match, only match we played last year in Cincinnati, actually quite a close match. I had a lot of opportunities in that match. She's a very talented player. She has a lot of skills, has a lot of speed on the ball. She has kind of a fastlike arm with her forehand. A lot of power and spin. She can serve really well. She's a dangerous player definitely. It will actually be interesting for me to play against her, looking backward from the last year. Q. It might not have been the start that you wanted in 2019, but it seems like you're getting on in a rhythm. Do you feel that way? VICTORIA AZARENKA: I feel like I'm taking small steps forward. It's about building. It's easy to get frustrated in the process, but sometimes it takes one little step to kind of go up the slide, you know. We have seen that in last couple of years with some young players, you know, who haven't been showing some results, and then all of a sudden, boom, there is that momentum. I'm looking for that momentum, but I'm trying to build that mountain with one stone at a time to be able, when I go up, to stay there, not just flash results, yeah. Q. Thank you not only for being the first match but making it a very compelling one. I know everyone is talking about the Canadian winning in Indian Wells, but the next thing they are talking about is they say one of the most exciting matches ever seen as an opening day was your match against Serena Williams in Indian Wells because of all the fight you had and the minimum of unforced errors. Even though you lost that match, did that help you focus? Did you feel it helped you get your goals and you feel you really, really belong on the tour as one of the top elite players? VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, I thought that was really my first best match since really kind of like my comeback on the tour. That definitely gave me a little bit of more confidence, of seeing my abilities in the match, because I know I have -- I'm not doubting my abilities as a player. It's just being able to transfer that from practice to the match has been a struggle, and in that match, I was able to do this. I came up short a little bit, but it was, again, a really good step forward for me. As I said, the process can be frustrating and the patience is not easy to have, but I'm definitely improving step by step, and I want to continue to go that way. Q. I have a little bit of an entertainment question or silly question, depending on your point of view. There has been a national TV commercial promoting glasses, and there is an owl watching a tennis match. In the commercial, the owl says, "Who, who," and oddly enough, when you listen close enough, it sounds like you playing tennis. Is that one of your endorsement deals? Maybe they should have you with the owl. It would be a lot of fun. It sounded a lot like you. VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, I'm going to check if they sampled me, and I'm going to ask for my royalties then (smiling). Thank you for letting me know that.

Venus Williams is through to the second round of the 2019 Miami Open by beating Dalila Jakupovic 7-5, 6-3. The 91st-ranked Slovenian qualifier Jakupovic was her biggest match at a WTA Premier event. Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES Williams stated, “She hit a lot of great shots. I had never played her before so you don’t know what to expect, but I felt the crowd behind me..."   Winner of seven Grand Slams, Williams also added, “It’s great to be at the new facility, playing tennis right at home. I’m feeling good right now.”

Following her win over Yanina Wickmayer, World No. 1 Naomi Osaka was presented the keys to Miami-Dade County. Commissioner Jean Monestime and Senator Oscar Braynon recognized Osaka for the work she does in the community and for serving as an incredible role model for the youth in South Florida.