MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Cheered on by a large contingent of Haitian fans, former No. 1 Naomi Osaka rallied from 2-4 down in the third set to defeat wild card Hailey Baptiste 7-6 (8-6), 3-6, 6-4, and advance to the Miami Open Round of 16 for the first time since 2022.

The match lasted two hours, 59 minutes and 57 seconds, which was the longest women’s match of the tournament thus far and a good test for 27-year-old, who is ranked No. 61 and making her way back from maternity leave.

“I haven’t been able to play super long matches, so it was really nice to get the experience,” Osaka said. “I feel fine right now. I’m not sure about tomorrow morning. But I also feel like I’ve built up a pretty good tolerance and fitness. I’m hoping it doesn’t take that much out of me.”

Osaka, who spent part of her childhood in South Florida and whose father is of Haitian descent, said playing the Miami Open has added significance for her. After winning her previous match, a fan handed her a Haitian flag and she wrapped herself in it and posed for photos.

“It definitely means a lot to me; I think coming and playing this tournament, I definitely see a lot more Haitian flags than anywhere else,” Osaka said. “Maybe the only other place would be New York. But Miami definitely has a lot more. I also feel like it’s kind of a homecoming for me because I did grow up here. I just feel, I don’t know, a different type of energy.”

Osaka’s next opponent will be sixth seed Jasmine Paolini, who advanced after her opponent, Ons Jabeur, retired with a leg injury. If Osaka wins, it would match her best result at a WTA 1000 in the 15 months since she returned from maternity leave. She reached the Doha quarterfinals in February 2024.

Top seeds Alexander Zverev and Aryna Sabalenka advanced, as did No. 3 seeded Americans Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz. Brazilian 18-year-old Joao Fonseca, serenaded by his boisterous yellow-clad fans, beat Hugo Humbert of France 6-4, 6-3.

Sabalenka eased into the fourth round after her opponent Elena Gabriela Ruse retired with an injury after losing the opening set 6-1. Zverev had little trouble getting past qualifier Jacob Fearnley 6-2, 6-4.

Gauff, the 21-year-old from Delray Beach, once again had the home crowd behind her as she moved into the fourth round with a 6-2, 6-4 win against Maria Sakkari of Greece.

“I grew up nearby and am a diehard Dolphins fan, so it’s great to play here,” Gauff told the crowd.

Fritz, who moved to Miami a few years ago, is the first American top-3 seed in Miami since Andy Roddick in 2007. He beat Italian Lorenzo Sonego 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 to reach the third round.

The day began with a big upset as 20-year-old wild card Coleman Wong of Hong Kong eliminated 13th seeded American Ben Shelton 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 7-6 (7-5). Wong is ranked No. 128 in the world.

By defeating Daniel Altmaier in the first round, Wong became the first player from Hong Kong to ever record a Masters 1000 win.

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