Taylor Fritz’s shot a the Sunshine Double came to an end on Tuesday, when the Indian Wells champion lost to Miomir Kecmanovic 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 during fourth-round action at the Miami Open.
Another American still has a chance to complete the back-to-back feat at the two Masters 1000 tournaments–in doubles. John Isner triumphed in the desert with Jack Sock and now he finds himself in the Miami semifinals with Hubert Hurkacz after ousting No. 2 seeds Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury.
With Isner serving up a set and 5-3 in the second, the American-Polish duo squandered a 40-0 lead but converted match point/beak point at deuce with an ace.
Miami success is nothing new for both Isner and Hurkacz. Each one is a former singles champion, as Isner triumphed in 2018 (the final year it was held at Key Biscayne before moving to Hard Rock Stadium) and Hurkacz lifted the trophy last spring.
Hurkacz still has a chance to defend his singles title, as well. The world No. 10 is facing top-seeded Daniil Medvedev in the quarters on Thursday. Medvedev is guaranteed to regain the No. 1 ranking if he wins, so there is plenty on the line for both players.
As for the Isner-Hurkacz pairing, next up is Australian Open doubles champions Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis. Isner and Sock beat the Aussies 6-3, 7-6(3) in the Indian Wells second round.
Isner and Kygs/Kokk on fire in doubles
Isner and Sock beat them at Indian Wells….I was there….super entertaining match!