- Miami Open Draws and Schedule for Thursday, March 28, 2024
- Novak Djokovic Splits with Coach Goran Ivanisevic
- Ricky’s picks for Thursday in Miami, including Alcaraz and Zverev
- Miami Open Draws and Schedule for Wednesday, March 27, 2024
- Alcaraz makes quick work of Musetti, Sinner and Dimitrov also win in Miami
- Victoria Azarenka Advances to Miami Open Semifinals
- Miami Open Draws and Schedule for Tuesday, March 26, 2024
- Andy Murray Out for “Extended Period” with Ankle Injury
- Miami Open Draws and Schedule for Monday, March 25, 2024
- Ricky’s picks for Monday in Miami, including Alcaraz vs. Monfils
- Miami Open Draws and Schedule for Sunday, March 24, 2024
- Ankle Injury Forces Tommy Paul to Retire in Miami
- Miami Open Draws and Schedule for Saturday, March 23, 2024
- Miami Open Draws and Schedule for Friday, March 22, 2024
- Nishikori after losing at Miami Open: “I just want to play a lot of matches”
Hurkacz, Rublev Set Up Meeting of First-time Masters 1000 Semifinalists in Miami Tennis
- Updated: April 2, 2021
By Ricky Dimon
It was no secret that a big opportunity awaited just about everyone in this particular Miami Open draw. With the Big 3 skipping this Masters 1000 tournament, the title was–and still is–pretty much up for grabs.
Count Hubert Hurkacz among the players who have taken advantage.
Hurkacz, the world No. 30, followed up wins over Denis Kudla, Denis Shapovalov, and Milos Raonic with one of the biggest of his career on Thursday afternoon. From 6-2, 2-0 down, the Pole toppled world No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 after two hours and 20 minutes. Hurkacz is through to the semifinals of a Masters 1000 for the first time in his career.
“I was trying to keep fighting and that’s what I did,” Hukacz noted. “At the beginning of the match I was going for too much. I tried to adapt my game…. [I’m] super pumped and happy that I turned this match around…. It’s so big; it’s a super big win for me. I can’t wait for the next match.”
Miami’s 26th seed was preceded into the semifinals by Roberto Bautista Agut and Jannik Sinner, who booked their spots on Wednesday.
At least one semifinalist is no surprise. Andrey Rublev, who has been one of the four best players in the world dating back to the start of last season, maintained his awesome form by beating Sebastian Korda 7-5, 7-6(5) in the last quarterfinal on Thursday night.
The only surprise is that this is also Rublev’s first-ever Masters 1000 semifinal.
“If we talk about the second set, I [could have won] easier, but it happens,” the Russian said of failing to serve out the match against Korda. “This is tennis. Maybe next match I will lose second set and lose the third. I mean, today I managed to win and I’m happy. Sebastian is a really great player; he’s really talented. He has big shots and he feels confident and he goes for them. Most of them he’s making.
“So in the end, that’s why he’s great. He has a big serve, really great at the net, he’s smart, and he plays aggressive. He tries to take the lead and go for the shots. That’s why he beat so many great players.”
Rublev will face a similar opponent in Hurkacz on Friday, while Bautista Agut will battle Sinner.
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on twitter at @Dimonator.