MIAMI OPEN
MIAMI, March 25: Frances Tiafoe entered his fifth ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final and his first since Cincinnati in 2024 after beating Terence Atmane 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 at the Miami Open.
For the second straight match, Tiafoe, 28, pulled a Houdini. On Monday, he saved two match points in his three-set victory over defending champion Jakub Mensik, and on Tuesday he was down serving 0-40, 4-4 in the third set against Atmane before achieving the critical break of serve at 4-5.
The victory set up a quarter-final showdown on home soil against Jannik Sinner for Tiafoe, who holds a 1-4 ATP Head-to-Head record against the Italian.
Elsewhere, Alexander Zverev disposed of the Frenchman Quentin Halys with a victory after a pair of tiebreakers, 7-6(4), 7-6(1).
The 2018 Miami finalist has now reached the quarter-finals or better in six of the past seven ATP Masters 1000s; he’s also advanced to the quarters at both Indian Wells and Miami in the same season for the second time (2024).
By beating the world No.111 Halys, the German extended his winning streak against players outside the Top 100 to 16 matches, dating back to 2024.
Next up for Zverev is Francisco Cerundolo, who advanced to his fourth Miami quarter-final in five tries with a 6-4, 6-3 win against Ugo Humbert.
GAUFF SETS UP MUCHOVA CLASH IN MAIDEN SEMIS
Coco Gauff produced a gritty comeback performance to book her maiden semifinal berth at the Miami Open, overcoming Belinda Bencic in a hard-fought three-set contest. The American recovered from a dip in momentum and a break deficit in the deciding set to secure a 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 victory in a match that lasted two hours and 15 minutes.Gauff began the encounter in dominant fashion, asserting control early with an aggressive approach. She broke serve in the opening stages and displayed sharp instincts at the net, winning all eight of her net points in the first set. Backed by strong serving and precise shot-making, she wrapped up the opener comfortably in 51 minutes.Bencic, however, responded emphatically in the second set.
The Swiss player significantly reduced her errors and found her rhythm, dictating rallies more effectively.
Her improved consistency allowed her to level the match quickly, taking the second set in under 30 minutes.
The final set proved to be a tense affair, with momentum swinging between the two players. Gauff faced a crucial moment while serving, fending off a break point to stay in contention. Despite a brief lapse and visible frustration over missed opportunities, she used the moment as a turning point.Regaining composure, Gauff broke back to level at 3-3 and began to reassert control. With renewed confidence, she capitalised on key opportunities, delivering strong serves and mixing in clever shot selection, including a decisive drop shot. She held her nerve while serving for the match to complete the comeback.The victory sends Gauff into the Miami semifinals for the first time in her career, where she is set to face Karolina Muchova. The American holds a dominant head-to-head record against the Czech, having won all five of their previous meetings, four of which were decided in straight sets.
In the other quarterfinal, Muchova continued her impressive run of form with a straight-sets win. The Czech edged past her opponent 7-5, 7-6(5), saving a set point in the second set during the one-hour, 47-minute contest. (IANS)
