2024 Miami Open Men's Quarter-Final MATCH PREVIEW: Alexander ZVEREV tussles with surprise spoiler Fabian MAROZSAN

It is the conclusion of the Quarter-Finals tonight at the 2024 Miami Open with each clash being run through in our preview starting with Alexander Zverev taking on the Cinderella story of this tournament in Masters spoiler, Fabian Marozsan for a spot in the semi-final.

From a player expected to be in the position to another who has previously had Masters success but failed to build on that, who comes out on top on Thursday evening?

Ever since his injury at Roland Garros two years ago, some wondered if Zverev would ever return to his previous form but the German has done so and sits well inside the top five again and is one of the most consistent players on tour this year sitting at 15-5 overall.

He lost to Carlos Alcaraz last week at Indian Wells putting behind a pretty underwhelming Mexican double behind him losing early to Daniel Altmaier in Acapulco and in the semi-finals to Jordan Thompson in Los Cabos. In this tournament though, he has not lost a set and has looked superb in doing so.

He has defeated Felix Auger Aliassime (6-2, 6-4), Christopher Eubanks (7-6, 6-3) in a tie more remembered for the German going for a hug and getting snubbed by the American in what was an overall epic contest before he swept aside Karen Khachanov 6-1, 6-4. The Russian being a player like Marozsan that seems to bring out his best during Masters 1000 tournaments.

Well so does Zverev. Being the youngest player to win two consecutive Masters 1000 titles on different surfaces and the first player born in the 1990's to win multiple Masters 1000 titles, he had a real hotstreak in the tournaments until he lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the 2022 Madrid Open final and hasn't reached one since. It would be a first title of the season after winning two in 2023 and his first past ATP 500 level in nearly three years. A real statement in his mission to be back.

While for his opponent, he is adding to the legend that was Rome last year as he upset then World No.2, Carlos Alcaraz who he could feasibly meet again in the semi-finals here. From there though, he didn't do much when it came to improving on that.

He reached the second round of the US Open and the fourth round at the Shanghai Masters. But perhaps this has been coming after reaching the Quarter-Final in Sofia and then the third round of the Australian Open, a steady progression for the 24-year-old who also bookends his fourth round run from last week at Indian Wells.

He reached this again but further by seeing off Aleksandar Kovacevic, smashing Holger Rune in less than an hour and also Alexei Popyrin. Another Australian in Alex de Minaur was also quickly disposed of and he is now into the top 40 for the first time and is set no matter what for a career high when the new rankings are confirmed next week.

A real Cinderella story but perhaps one that has been coming given his form over recent months that perhaps amongst the mirage of his Alcaraz win last year has been glossed over. He will aim to do the unthinkable again against Zverev.

There is no Head to Head data between the pair as they have never played so it is very much a coin flip albeit Zverev will be heavy favourite to reach the semi-finals. But Masters Marozsan always has an upset in his locker. The smart money though would be on a marathon contest.