World number one Ashleigh Barty booked a return to the Miami Open women's final on Thursday with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over fifth-seeded Elina Svitolina. 

In the men's field, second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece crashed out in the quarterfinals, losing in three sets to Polish 26th seed Hubert Hurkacz.

Australia's Barty, who won the most recent edition of the event in 2019, is trying to make her first successful defense of a WTA title.

The Australian, already assured of remaining atop the world rankings next week after the quarterfinal exit of Japan's Naomi Osaka, will face either eighth-seeded Canadian Bianca Andreescu or Greece's Maria Sakkari in the title match on Saturday.

Hurkacz advanced to the semifinals of an ATP Masters tournament for the first time after coming from behind to beat Tsitsipas 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. 

The Pole will face either Russia's Andrey Rublev or Sebastian Korda of the United States in the last four.

Earlier on Wednesday, top-seeded Daniil Medvedev crashed out of the tournament, losing 4-6, 2-6 to seventh-seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in the quarterfinals to add to another upset on the day that also saw Australian Open champion Osaka ousted.

(With input from agencies)

(Cover image: Ashleigh Barty of Australia returns a shot in her semifinal match against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine (not pictured) at the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, U.S., April 1, 2021. /CFP)