Medvedev Wins, Alcaraz Cruises Past Fritz, Will Face Sinner In Miami Masters SF

The final four of the Miami Masters was set Thursday. And it’s a star-studded semifinal line-up with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, former No. 1 Daniil Medvedev, former Miami finalist Jannik Sinner and Russian big man Karen Khachanov.

Alcaraz, who just won Indian Wells, kept his “Sunshine Double” hopes alive blowing past American No. 1 Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-2.

Alcaraz, broke in the opening game and then proved to be the better all around player and shot maker, once again showcasing his power, speed and touch.

The teen finished with six aces and saved both break points faced. Fritz won just nine of 24 points on second serve.

“A little bit of nerves at the beginning of the match. It was new for me, playing against him,” Alcaraz said to the ATP. “I knew that I had to play my game, the way that I was playing the previous matches, a high level for me. Of course I’m very happy with the way I started the match, with no mistakes and with a lot of power. It was a key for me to break his serve at the beginning and then [play] my game.”

Alcaraz reaches his 17th career semifinal. His 5th at the Masters level, and 2nd at the Miami Masters. Tomorrow, he’ll renew he rivalry with Jannik Sinner who was a winner yesterday. Alcaraz leads the Italian 3-2 with a win earlier this month at Indian Wells. Sinner is 0-3 on hard courts against the Spaniard. Alcaraz has won his last 10 matches and 20 straight sets.

“I’ve played against him in the final rounds of tournaments. That means he is playing a great level,” said Alcaraz. “Of course I am sure that we are going to play for big things in the future.”

Daniil Medvedev was on early and toughed out a rain delay at 2-3 and American qualifier Chris Eubanks 6-3, 7-5. Medvedev had nine aces and broken once en route to his first Miami Masters semifinal.

“I didn’t play my best before. The rain helped me go out and have more energy,” Medvedev said. “It helped me and I only played better and better, apart from one bad game on my serve, but it happens.”

Medvedev reaches his 11th semifinal at the Masters level.

The 14th-seeded Karen Khachanov toppled former semifinalist and No. 25 seed Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 6-2. He’ll move into his first Miami semifinal where he’ll take on his countryman. Medvedev has the better of Khachanov 3-1 in their tour-level collisions winning most recently in Adelaide at the start of the year. Medvedev has won 22 of his last 23 matches.

“I have never had such a good start to the season. A lot of matches won, tournaments won. I am really happy,” Medvedev said. “I was disappointed at Indian Wells when my streak ended on the same number as last time. The only thing you can do is begin a new streak and I am happy to bring my form into Miami.”

FRIDAY MIAMI MASTERS SCHEDULE
STADIUM
Matches Start At: 1:00 pm
ATP Daniil MEDVEDEV [4] vs Karen KHACHANOV [14]
Not Before 3:00 PM
WTA Petra Kvitova (CZE) [15] vs Sorana Cirstea (ROU)

Not Before 7:00 pm
ATP Carlos ALCARAZ (ESP) [1] vs Jannik SINNER (ITA) [10]