Carlos Alcaraz swatted apart Serbian Dusan Lajovic 6-0 7-6(5) to stay his identify protection on target on the Miami Open on Sunday, as Canadian Bianca Andreescu cruised previous American Sofia Kenin in directly units.
Spain’s teenager phenom gained Indian Wells to retake the highest score ultimate week and stored the momentum going at Hard Rock Stadium as he fired off 26 winners to arrange a fourth-round assembly with Australian Open semi-finalist Tommy Paul.
“I always think you have to go for it,” he advised the Tennis Channel after the fit. “That’s what I told myself in (those) tough moments.”
Lajovic surprised three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray within the first around however by no means hit his stride on Sunday, letting his simplest damage level likelihood slip via his hands within the first set as the United States Open winner placed on a near-flawless efficiency.
Alcaraz transformed on a damage level within the 3rd recreation of the second one set with an expertly positioned forehand winner however helped his opponent to a damage within the tenth recreation with a handful of uncharacteristic mistakes.
Lajovic refused to move down and not using a struggle, keeping off 3 fit issues within the tiebreak. But Alcaraz by no means misplaced his nerve and clinched it with a blistering backhand winner earlier than pumping his fist triumphantly.
“Everything was under control,” mentioned Alcaraz, who greeted the Miami Heat’s six-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler courtside after the fit.
“But end of match is never easy. The nerves came out. I made a few mistakes that I didn’t do around the whole match. So it was tough to win.”
Former US Open champion Andreescu harnessed her mighty serve to topple Kenin 6-4 6-4, sending over seven aces because the 2020 Australian Open winner did not mount a lot of a protection after an early go out from Indian Wells.
The swift affair was once welcome reprieve for Andreescu after long battles towards first- and second-round combatants Emma Raducanu of Britain and international No. 10, Greek Maria Sakkari, with Ekaterina Alexandrova ready within the around of 16.
“I definitely enjoy the challenge,” she mentioned in a televised interview. “These victories are definitely very sweet and I’ve had many tough matches against Sofia.”
Earlier on Sunday, Denmark’s Holger Rune despatched over seven aces and 27 winners to forestall Argentine Diego Schwartzman 6-4 6-2. The 7th seed subsequent faces American Taylor Fritz for the primary time within the fourth around.
Later on Sunday, second-seeded Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka performs thirty first seed Marie Bouzkova and ultimate yr’s two times Grand Slam runner-up Casper Ruud, seeded 3rd, performs the Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp.
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