Sinner downs Bublik to become Miami Open fourth-youngest semi-finalist

Competing at his third Masters 1000 tournament, the 19-year-old Jannik Sinner advanced to his first semi-final following a 7-6, 6-4 triumph over Alexander Bublik in an hour and 40 minutes.

Sinner won seven points more than Bublik and saved seven out of nine break chances, earning three breaks from nine opportunities to seal the deal in straight sets and become the fourth-youngest Miami Open semi-finalist after Felix Auger-Aliassime, Rafael Nadal and Lleyton Hewitt.

Read also

'I'm always nervous around Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer,' said Jannik Sinner

The young Italian fired 36 winners and 30 unforced errors to overpower the opponent, creating a slight edge in the shortest and more extended exchanges to cross the finish line and remain on the title course.

Bublik moved in front with a break in game three and fended off break chances in the next one to open a 3-1 advantage. The Kazakh led 5-3 and served for the set in game ten, only to suffer a break at 15 and bring Jannik back into contention. A teenager saved a break point in game 11 and squandered a set point a few minutes later to introduce a tie break that he won 7-5 after Bublik's backhand mistake.

Read also

“When I meet Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, I’m nervous,” says Jannik Sinner

Like in the opener, Alexander forged the advantage in set number two before Jannik pulled it back in game five. The Italian fended off five break chances in game six and scored the crucial break at 4-4 when Bublik hit a double fault. Serving for the victory, Sinner sealed the deal with a forehand winner in game ten that sent him into the semis.