Daniil Medvedev, the defending Miami Open champion, defeated Dominik Koepfer 7-6 (5), 6-0 on Tuesday to win his 350th career match and advance into the quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive year.
first-placed Carlos Alcaraz easily defeated No. 23 seed Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 6-3 to progress as well.
Alcaraz stated he’s “probably” playing his best tennis since last summer after defeating Musetti in less than ninety minutes and appearing at ease as ever on the court. He stated that the ankle issue from the previous month is no longer a problem.
The Wimbledon champion remarked, “I don’t know if this is the best game that I’m playing, but it’s the best feeling,” without a doubt. “I’m feeling great on the court. I’m moving great. … I’m not thinking about the ankle anymore on the court.”
On Thursday, Alcaraz will play Grigor Dimitrov, the No. 11 seed, in the quarterfinals. Hubert Hurkacz, ranked eighth, was defeated by Dimitrov 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3) in a tiebreaker when Hurkacz was given a penalty for stepping on the net.
Hurkacz surged forward on a return, and the match referee said his foot impacted the net, tying the score at 2-2 in the tiebreaker. That negated his point. Hurkacz protested by slamming his racket.
After a battle that continued late into Wednesday morning, No. 4 seed and 2018 champion Alexander Zverev defeated 15th-seeded Karen Khachanov 6-1, 6-4 to advance to his fourth Miami Open quarterfinal.
The third seed Following a close first set, Medvedev stormed ahead to win his tenth straight match in South Florida and carry on his quest for back-to-back championships.
In the tiebreaker, Medvedev fell behind 4-0 but came back to win the set. He claimed he capitalized on the energy to get out to a quick start and complete his historic triumph.
“I would say before the match, the desire to win is the same, but for sure, the feeling of winning, and during the match while you’re winning, is different,” he stated. “The feelings are different, but the desire is the same and that’s what keeps me going.”
On Wednesday, Medvedev plays Nicolas Jarry, the No. 22 seed who defeated Casper Ruud, the No. 7 seed, 7-6 (3), 6-3, for victory number 351.
Jannik Sinner, the runner-up of the Australian Open, defeated Christopher O’Connell 6-4, 6-3 to get to the quarterfinals. Sinner is ranked No. 2 and has improved to 19-1 overall this year.
Commentators announced that play was halted in the middle of the game because a fan had fainted in the 82 degree heat. Sinner approached the sidelines and gave the man some towels and beverages.
Tomas Machac advanced as too, defeating Matteo Arnaldi 6-3, 6-3 to get to the quarterfinals and face Sinner.
In a match that lasted two hours and forty-eight minutes, No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina defeated No. 8 seed Maria Sakkari 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-4 to advance to the semifinals.
Victoria Azarenka, the two-time Grand Slam champion, advanced to the semifinals by defeating Yulia Putintseva 7-6 (4), 1-6, 6-3. After only making it that far once in 2023, Azarenka, 34, reached the semifinals for the second time this season. The Miami Open has been won by her three times.
