While most of the top women’s seeds have already been knocked out of the Miami Open, many of the top men’s seeds are still going strong as the tournament heads into the fourth round.
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz, who is coming off his impressive win at Indian Wells, is continuing his fine form this season with some dominant wins. Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev got a free trip to the fourth round after he was awarded a walkover.
However, No 3 seed Casper Ruud became the biggest casualty to date as he suffered a shock third-round defeat to Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.
Read on below as SBOTOP shares all the latest Miami Open 2023 news from the ATP Tour.
Carlos Alcaraz cruising at the Miami Open
Carlos Alcaraz’s recent reign of dominance continues. After winning the first half of the vaunted ‘Sunshine Double’ – the Indian Wells Masters – without dropping a single set, the Spanish world No 1 has begun the Miami Open in sizzling form.
Alcaraz is through to the fourth round after back-to-back straight-sets wins over Facundo Bagnis and Dusan Lajovic. Such was Alcaraz’s dominance that he delivered a donut (6-0) in the first set of both matches.
“I feel fast on court, I am moving well,” said Alcaraz. “I am happy with the variety I am playing [with]. Lots of shots. I am enjoying every single second out there.”
The 19-year-old Alcaraz, who is the defending Miami Open champion, is hoping to become the youngest player ever – and only the eighth in ATP Tour history – to win the ‘Sunshine Double’. Moreover, a successful title defence would see the Spaniard stay at No 1 over Novak Djokovic.
Alcaraz will meet American Tommy Paul in the fourth round. Paul won their first and only meeting to date last year in the National Bank Open.
Daniil Medvedev walks over to fourth round
Daniil Medvedev, who lost to Alcaraz in the Indian Wells Masters final, has joined the Spaniard in the fourth round. The Russian received a walkover after his third-round opponent, Alex Molcan, withdrew due to a right hip injury.
Medvedev had won his first match of the tournament in convincing fashion as he defeated Roberto Carballes Baena 6-1 6-2. That was the Russian’s 20th win in his last 21 matches. He had won three titles in a row in Rotterdam, Doha, and Dubai before falling to Alcaraz in the Indian Wells final.
The mini-break will be a big boost to Medvedev, who has picked up a couple of injuries amid his busy schedule of late.
The 27-year-old suffered an ankle injury in his match against Alexander Zverev, and then had a cut on thumb in the semi-finals against Frances Tiafoe.
But despite these recent ailments, the Miami Open 2023 betting odds will have Medvedev as the heavy favourite against his fourth-round foe, either Quentin Halys or Mackenzie McDonald.
Halys knocked out No 15 seed Alex de Minaur in a three-set war that featured three tiebreaks. Meanwhile, McDonald also masterminded an upset of No 19 Matteo Berrettini.
Casper Ruud becomes first top-10 seed knocked out at Miami Open
Casper Ruud became the first top-10 seed casualty at the Miami Open as the No 3 seed and world No 4 fell to Botic van de Zandschulp, 3-6 6-4 6-4.
Ruud, who lost to Alcaraz in last year’s Miami Open final, was in control early as he won the opening set. But the Norwegian could not capitalise on multiple break point opportunities as he converted just two of 15, including one of eight in the third set.
“It was an unbelievable tough match,” said van de Zandschulp. “He had so many chances in the third set. When I broke back for 3-2 I was holding and had a feeling that I had a chance in his service games. At 5-4 I had one opportunity and I took it.”
With this defeat, Ruud has now dropped to a disappointing 5-6 on the season and has yet to register back-to-back wins.
As for van de Zandschulp, he will move on to meet Emil Ruusuvuori, who knocked off No 22 Roberto Bautista Agut and Japanese wild card Taro Daniel to reach the fourth round.
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