With world number one Naomi Osaka of Japan crashing out of the Women's Tennis Association Premier Mandatory event in the third round, both Halep and Kvitová have the chance to take the top spot by reaching the final in Miami.

The pair have progressed to last eight, with Halep securing her fourth successive win over America's Venus Williams.

The world number three defeated Williams 6-3 6-3 at the Hard Rock Stadium and is now scheduled to face China's Qiang Wang, who beat her compatriot Yafan Wang 7-5 6-4 today.

Kvitová, currently world number two, won 6-3 6-3 against France's Caroline Garcia. 

"I think I played great match today from the beginning, which I'm very pleased with," she said.

Her next opponent is set to be Australia's Ashleigh Barty, who came from one set down to defeat The Netherlands Kiki Bertens 4-6 6-3 6-2.

In the men's Association of Tennis Professionals Masters 1000 competition, Switzerland's Roger Federer beat Serbia's Filip Krajinović 7-5 6-3.

He is now due to meet Daniil Medvedev in the last 16 after the Russian battled against America's Reilly Opelka to win 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 and progress into the next round.

Meanwhile, Australia's Nick Kyrgios caused controversy after using underarm serves in his 6-3, 6-1 victory over Serbia's Dušan Lajović.

Judy Murray, mother of British tennis players Andy and Jamie Murray, described the tactic as "genuis".