Sublime Alcaraz and Medvedev advance into quarterfinals

Miami, March 30 : Spains Carlos Alcaraz battled past Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5, 6-3 in nearly two hours to secure a place in the quarterfinals at the Miami Open on Wednesday (IST).

Alcaraz will face Miomir Kecmanovic after the Serbian advanced with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 win over American Taylor Fritz.

Russias Daniil Medvedev defeated American Jenson Brooksby 7-5, 6-1 to also advance into the quarterfinals.Medvedev did not have it all his own way as he was forced to rally from 5-3 down in the first set before going on to book his place in the last-eight in 80 minutes.World No.2 Medvedev sets up a showdown against Polands Hubert Hurkacz who continued his Miami title defence with a 7-6(3), 6-2 win over the resurgent South African Lloyd Harris.In a rematch of their five-set epic at the US Open, the 18-year-old Alcaraz improved to 15-2 on the season."It was really, really tough.He was playing unbelievable.

All I can say is I fought until the last ball in the first set (to) come back," the Spaniard said.After conceding an early break to a motivated Tsitsipas, the youngster took charge by winning seven straight games from 2-5 down in the first.

Everything was working for the Spaniard, who suddenly had his opponent chasing shadows.On the rare occasions Tsitsipas was able to attack, Alcaraz flashed his world-class defence and speed to further frustrate the world No.5."I knew that Stefanos is a player who always is looking for his forehand," Alcaraz said."I tried to hit two or three backhands cross-court and then switch to down the line, to his running forehand.It was a key.I think he lives in the backhand side all the time, looking for his forehand, as I said.It was pretty important, the backhand down the line.

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