Carlos Alcaraz is into the quarter-finals of the Miami Open after a straight-sets win over Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5 6-3.
The 18-year-old continues to show why he is one of the most exciting prospects in men’s tennis as he is now 15-2 on the year and one win away from back-to-back semifinals at ATP 1000 events. It was a tough match for Alcaraz who was down 5-3 in the opening set before rallying to win it 7-5. He closed it out with another brilliant set 6-3.
Speaking after, he said:
"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. I knew that Stefanos is a player who always is looking for his forehand."
He further 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."
Alcaraz is now 2-0 against Tsitsipas having beaten him last year at the US Open in a 5-set hriller. It was the match that proved to many that he will be great one day. It's coming sooner than many expected but it's great to see.