Jannik Sinner powered into the Miami Open quarter-finals on Tuesday after a hard-fought straight-sets victory over unseeded American Alex Michelsen. The Italian second seed, aiming to replicate his Indian Wells success with a Miami title, secured a 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) win in 1 hour 41 minutes, keeping his quest for the “Sunshine Double” alive.
Sinner, who is seeking his first Miami title, faced a tough challenge from Michelsen, ranked 40th in the world. After a cautious start, the Italian broke serve in the 11th game of the first set to take the lead. Michelsen responded in the second, breaking Sinner to take a 4-2 lead and extending his advantage to 5-2. However, Sinner rallied in the late afternoon sun, forcing a tiebreak, which he sealed with a powerful serve.
“I feel like I served very well in important moments, especially in the tough ones,” Sinner said. He hit 15 aces to Michelsen’s three, noting that the conditions were challenging after a recent night match.
Tiafoe Battles Past Atmane to Reach Quarter-Finals
Home favorite Frances Tiafoe advanced to face Sinner in the quarter-finals after defeating France’s Terence Atmane in three sets, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. The American showed resilience in a gritty match on the hard courts of Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
Surprise Wins as Qualifiers Make Impact
Spanish qualifier Martin Landaluce, ranked 151st globally, caused an upset by defeating American 32nd seed Sebastian Korda in three sets, 2-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-4. Landaluce, who previously struggled at tour level in 2026, dedicated his victory to his late grandmother, who would have turned 101 last week. The 20-year-old also eliminated Russian 14th seed Karen Khachanov en route to the quarter-finals, where he will face Czech 21st seed Jiri Lehecka.
Lehecka secured his spot with a 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-2 win over sixth seed Taylor Fritz, emphasizing his aggressive play in the deciding set.
American 22nd seed Tommy Paul advanced after beating Argentina’s Tomas Etcheverry 6-1, 6-3, and will next face France’s Arthur Fils, who defeated Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4.
Meanwhile, Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo continued his impressive run, following up his upset of Daniil Medvedev with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over French 31st seed Ugo Humbert. Cerundolo now prepares to face third seed Alexander Zverev, who edged France’s Quentin Halys in straight sets, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/1).