Miami Open: Carlos Alcaraz beats Tommy Paul in entertaining last 16 battle to continue sensational 2023 form

Carlos Alcaraz got the better of Tommy Paul 6-4 6-4 in an entertaining last 16 battle at the Miami Open.

Both players had some outstanding shot-making and rallies throughout the match to the delight of the crowd in Florida, but it was Alcaraz who came out on top.

“I feel at home here,” said Alcaraz. “It’s easy to play for me in Miami with all the energy I receive from the crowd, it’s amazing.

“I enjoy it and I think that’s the key why I play at such a high level for every match. I’m really happy with the level I’m playing and hope to keep going.

“I played a really great match and hope to play the same level in the quarter-finals. I moved well, defended very well and attacked as well. If I play the same level I’m going to have a lot of chances to get through the quarter-finals.”

The opening four games were shared, before Alcaraz won an incredible point where he ran from the back of the court to get a ball back in play on his way to breaking Paul to go 3-2 ahead.

He missed the opportunity for a double break minutes later and Paul had a break point chance at 5-4 down, but couldn’t take it as Alcaraz served himself out of trouble to seal the set in 49 minutes.

More brilliance followed in the second set with Alcaraz continuing to apply plenty of pressure with his big forehand.

He made the decisive break in the third game and Paul couldn’t do much on the Alcaraz serve to break back.

The rest of the games went on serve so Alcaraz booked a place in the last eight.

Elsewhere, Karen Khachanov was victorious for the first time over Stefanos Tsitsipas as he won 7-6(4) 6-4 in a tight contest.

Tsitsipas failed to take two break point opportunities in the middle of the first set and was broken by Khachanov in the fifth game of the second set.

The Russian will face Francisco Cerundolo or Lorenzo Sonego on Wednesday.

Emil Ruusuvuori beat Botic van de Zandschulp 4-6 6-4 7-5 in a rollercoaster last 16 match, having been a set and a break down.

His comeback secured a quarter-finals spot against Jannik Sinner, who cruised to victory against Andrey Rublev earlier on Tuesday.

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