Miami Open 2023: Taylor Fritz storms past Holger Rune into quarter-finals, Jannik Sinner downs Andrey Rublev

Taylor Fritz stormed past Holger Rune 6-3 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals of the Miami Open.

In what was expected to be a tight contest, Fritz won most of the crucial points while Rune made costly mistakes.

The American will play Carlos Alcaraz or Tommy Paul in the last eight on Wednesday.

“It was nice today to feel like I had a bit more time,” said Fritz. “The last two rounds it was impossible to really play my game.

“Today, when I had the chances to be aggressive I was. I just wanted to serve well, make a lot of first serves and try not to give him too many free points on the serve.

“I think my average level of tennis is a lot higher. I don’t always need to show up and play my best. That level is higher than it used to be.”

Rune started off fast but failed to take two break points in the opening game and was punished when Fritz broke at the first time of asking to go 2-0 ahead.

However, the Dane got the break back to get back on serve, before the next four games were shared.

In the eighth game, Rune had a number of errors which handed a break to Fritz, who took advantage to make it 5-3 and served out the set.

Fritz stamped his authority on the match by breaking his opponent at the start of the second set when Rune hit a backhand long.

In response, Rune played more aggressively but couldn’t do anything about Fritz’s great serving which kept the world No. 10’s nose in front.

He showed no sign of nerves to serves the match out at 5-4 up to seal a place in the quarter-finals on home soil.

In the first last 16 match, Jannik Sinner had no problems to get past Andrey Rublev 6-2 6-4.

Sinner was on top throughout the clash, with Rublev unable to create any break point opportunities.

The Italian will face Botic van de Zandschulp or Emil Ruusuvuori in the last eight.

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