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A rain-interrupted day at the Miami Open eventually gave way to sun, and for most of the favorites, victory. But not for fifth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska, whose miserable start to the season continued in Key Biscayne. The world No. 8 lost to Mirjana Lucic-Baroni for the second time this season—and the second time in the second round of a tournament—by a lopsided 6-0, 6-3 score.

This is the fifth consecutive tournament that Radwanska has failed to win at least two matches; her losses have come to Lucic-Baroni (Australian Open, Miami), then-No. 70 CiCi Bellis (Dubai), then-No. 49 Shaui Peng (Indian Wells) and Caroline Wozniacki (Doha). All significant events in terms of prize money, ranking points and prestige, Radwanska’s luster has worn off since coming into 2017 as the world No. 3. Since reaching the final of the Shenzhen Open in January, the 28-year-old is 4-5.

Lucic-Baroni, meanwhile, continues her latest resurgence. The 35-year-old has had nearly the opposite season of Radwanska, doing well at big tournaments and playing well above her ranking, which is now No. 29. A Wimbledon finalist at 1999 at 17, Lucic-Baroni reached the semifinals in Melbourne and in doing so spawned one of the year’s most inspiring stories.

“Luckily I’m strong enough and stubborn enough, and patient enough, that I was waiting for my opportunities,” Lucic-Baroni told TENNIS.com earlier this week in Miami. "That's why I’m here at 35.”

Next up for the Croatian is another surprising player, Bethanie Mattek-Sands. The 32-year-old won her first main-draw match of the season in Miami and also hit a 131 m.p.h. serve—even if it didn’t count.

“It's funny because I talked to my husband and he was like, ‘Who cares [that] you didn't win a match in Australian in 20 years?” Lucic-Baroni said.  “’So who cares—maybe you'll win a match or two here.’ Now that that's off my back I don’t think about it anymore. It's gone. It's good, so maybe it's a good omen.”

Court Report: Lucic-Baroni routs No. 5 Radwanska; Federer advances

Court Report: Lucic-Baroni routs No. 5 Radwanska; Federer advances

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