Victoria Azarenka kept her hopes of a fourth Miami Open title alive as she reached the semi-finals with a hard-earned win over Yulia Putintseva. In the men’s draw, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz both reached the quarterfinals.
No. 27 seed Azarenka, who won the event in 2009, 2011 and 2016, defeated 7-6 (4), 1-6, 6-3 in less than three hours. Kazakh opponents. The 34-year-old saved three set points after trailing 5-4 in the first set, but then failed to convert two of her own until the tie-break when she held on with some decisive forehands gained courage.
Putintseva fought back hard in the second game, giving up a game after finding her rhythm, but the momentum shifted when Azarenka saved two break points at the start of the decider. After regaining control of the situation, she failed to seize the first match point when leading 5-2, but she also made no mistakes when the opportunity came up again in the next service game.
Azarenka will face another Kazakh opponent in the semifinals, as Elena Rybakina defeated the eight-year-old 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-4 in another marathon match. No. 1 seed Maria Sakkari. “I have nothing to say because I was so tired. But I’m really happy with the victory. It was a tough battle,” Rybakina said after his victory in 2 hours and 48 minutes.
In the men’s competition, second seed Sinner had a strong performance, defeating Christopher O’Connell to earn a spot in the quarterfinals. The Italians won 6-4, 6-3 in windy conditions after overcoming early problems. After trailing 1-3 and 0-30 in the first set, he regained his composure and won five of the next six games.
Sinner showed a calmer performance than his Australian opponent. He broke serve at the first question of the second set and sealed the victory in 1 hour and 51 minutes. Sinner, the 2021 and 2023 runner-up, will face 23-year-old Czech Tomas Machak, who made his first Masters 1,000m appearance after defeating Italian Matteo Arnardi 6-3, 6-3. In the quarter-finals.
Another Italian player was eliminated, as No. 23 seed Lorenzo Musetti was eliminated 6-3, 6-3 by top seed Carlos Alcaraz, who Scored 18 points on 22 attempts to the net. “I try to play my game, be aggressive with my shot, go to the net, shoot the ball, my style,” the Spaniard said. “I think I did a good job and I’m very happy with my performance. “I felt great on the pitch. I moved well, no injuries and no ankle issues to consider. [injury] Not anymore. I think this is the best feeling I’ve had since last summer. “
Alcaraz’s next opponent is No. 11 seed Grigor Dimitrov, who came from a set behind to beat No. 8 seed 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3) Hubert Hulkac. Defending champion Daniil Medvedev defeated Dominik Kopfer in straight sets. After needing a tiebreaker to take the first set 7-6 (5), Medvedev surged ahead 6-0 in the lopsided follow-up match.
After the Chilean defeated Casper Rudd 7-6 (3), 6-3, he moved on to face Nicholas Jarry. Unseeded Fabian Marossan continued his form as he defeated ninth seed Alex De Minaur 6-4, 0-6, 6-1.
