Miami: Alcaraz keeps rolling, Dimitrov outlasts Hurkacz in third-set tiebreaker

Carlos Alcaraz extended his winning streak to nine matches with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Lorenzo Musetti in the Miami Open fourth round on Tuesday evening.

Alcaraz struggled at the end of last season and sustained an ankle injury last month in Rio de Janeiro, but it has all turned around for him during the Sunshine Double. The Indian Wells champion is rolling in Miami, having not dropped a set through three rounds at the second of two straight Masters 1000 events.

“I don’t know if this is the best game that I’m playing (this season), but without a doubt it’s the best feeling,” said Alcaraz, whose triumph in the desert marked his first title since Wimbledon in 2023. “I’m feeling great on the court. I’m moving great–not injured or thinking about the ankle (injury) anymore. I think (this is) the best feeling since last summer.”

Dimitrov improves to 4-0 vs. Hurkacz

Next up for Alcaraz in the quarterfinals is Grigor Dimitrov, who scraped past Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) after two hours and 42 minutes. Surprisingly, Dimitrov is now 4-0 in the head-to-head series against Hurkacz.

This marks the Bulgarian’s first trip to the last eight in Miami. He has reached at least the quarterfinals at all of the other eight Masters 1000s.

“Finally,” Dimitrov commented. “I knew the last one was missing, honestly. It’s been like a kryptonite for me, this tournament. It was a very tough battle today. Hubi is such an amazing guy. I think above all I was just happy that I could stay in the match and have such a good run. He’s such a tricky competitor–so crafty around the court. I think physically we were both going at each other very hard today. It was a pleasant match, honestly, to play.”

The 32-year-old is 1-3 lifetime against Alcaraz after winning their most recent meeting 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 this past fall at the Shanghai Masters.

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