Aryna Sabalenka maintained her trademark dominance to dispatch Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 6-4 in the fourth round of the Miami Open. The top seed set the pace from the outset and sealed a straight-set win.
What made the victory even sweeter for the Belarusian was the backing of a section of the Brazilian crowd, which she playfully acknowledged after the match by joking about her fiancé.
Aryna Sabalenka Jokes About Picking the ‘Right Fiancé’ After Drawing Brazilian Cheers During Miami Open 4R Win
Sabalenka has looked far more settled off the court since beginning her relationship with Brazilian entrepreneur Georgios Frangulis, founder of the superfood brand Oakberry.
The Belarusian started dating him in 2024 following the passing of her previous partner, and their bond has continued to strengthen, with Frangulis regularly in the stands supporting her during matches.
Sabalenka, who reached the Miami Open quarterfinals, was never troubled by Zheng. The top seed set the tone early, landing 78% of her first serves and breaking her opponent twice to claim the opening set despite Zheng firing 5 aces.
What made the win even more special for her was the support from the Brazilian fans inside Hard Rock Stadium. After the match, the Belarusian was asked how special it was to see Brazilian flags waving in her support. Sabalenka thanked those fans and also joked that perhaps she “picked the right fiancé.”
“That’s super special. You guys bring the best support. I picked the right fiancé, you know,” she said.
Aryna Sabalenka on the Brazilian support after her win over Qinwen Zheng in Miami:
“That’s super special. You guys bring the best support. I picked the right fiancé you know?” 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/fIg07PzptX
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 23, 2026
The world No. 1 confirmed her engagement to the Greek-Brazilian businessman earlier this month after he proposed with a 12-carat diamond ring in a flower-lined, candlelit setting.
Sabalenka shared the unforgettable moment on Instagram. “You & me, forever 3.3.26,” she wrote, adding a ring and an infinity emoji.
Frangulis was born Sept. 9, 1988, in São Paulo, Brazil, and is of Greek descent. The entrepreneur is also a motorsport enthusiast and has competed in racing events, including the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge.
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Meanwhile, Sabalenka will face home favorite Hailey Baptiste in the Miami Open quarterfinals, marking their first meeting on tour.
According to PFSN’s simulator, the Belarusian holds a commanding edge, with a 95% chance of progressing.
