Carlos Alcaraz admits ‘nerves’ but downs Taylor Fritz to set up Jannik Sinner showdown at Miami Open

Carlos Alcaraz has admitted “nerves” but he still managed to overcome former champion Taylor Fritz to set up a showdown with Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of the Miami Open.

The world No. 1 was in dominant form once more as he swept past the American and local hero in straight sets, 6-4 6-2, to ensure his progression through to the last four in style with the young Italian his next intriguing opponent.

Alcaraz fired 20 winners in the match and conceded just 13 unforced errors as he defeated the American under the lights at Hard Rock Stadium. Given he knows that he must retain his title in Miami in order to remain on top of the ATP world rankings, the pressure is very much on his shoulders.

Alcaraz is still very much on course to secure a coveted ‘sunshine double’ after he triumphed at Indian Wells prior to moving on to Miami, and he was left to reflect on the challenge he felt that Fritz presented for him at the tournament.

“A little bit of nerves at the beginning of the match,” Alcaraz said of facing Fritz. “It was new for me, playing against him. I knew that I had to play my game, the way that I was playing the previous matches, at a high level for me.

“Of course, I’m very happy with the way I started the match, with no mistakes and with a lot of power. It was a key for me to break his serve at the beginning and then [play] my game.

“I’ve played against him in the final rounds of tournaments. That means he is playing at a great level. Of course, I am sure that we are going to play for big things in the future. I can’t wait to see our [improvement].”

Friday’s semi-final showdown between Alcaraz and Sinner will be hotly anticipated and pit the two young stars together once again after they also faced off against each other at Indian Wells. On this occasion, the Italian does at least have an extra day of rest to prepare for what should be an enthralling contest.

Sinner defeated Emil Ruusuvuori in their quarter-final clash on Wednesday, but rain postponed Alcaraz’s encounter with Fritz to give the Spaniard less time to rest up between the two matches.

Alcaraz has already spoken about how comfortable he feels playing on the hard courts of Indian Wells and Miami, and his form has backed up his perspective.

“I feel at home here,” Alcaraz said earlier in the tournament. “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 to 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.”

It will certainly take a sensational performance from Sinner to stop Alcaraz in his tracks as he targets another Miami title, the ‘sunshine double’ and retaining his world No. 1 status.

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