Swiatek, Gauff Fall At Miami Masters, Alcaraz Excites; Men’s 4R Tues

The Miami Masters women’s draw took a huge hit on Monday as tournament favorites Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff were both shown the exits.

Gauff played in the afternoon and was bounced by a hot-handed Caroline Garcia 6-3, 1-6, 6-2. Garcia had just knocked out Naomi Osaka, and today rolled in the opening set before falling apart in the second.

The Frenchwoman was able to regain momentum in the third though she had to save break points at the start and then broke Gauff for 2-0.

“We had some good battles in the past, and I always try to go as much as I can with confidence and conviction in my shots,” Garcia said afterwards. “To have a tied record with Coco gives me confidence that I have to go for it.

“It’s definitely a great match and great win for me,” Garcia said after beating Gauff. “Last couple of months have not been easy, and definitely today, following the match of yesterday, it means a lot. It was some great tennis.”

In the evening, Iga Swiatek, who had won Indian Wells without dropping a set, was no match for the big-serving, big-swinging Ekaterina Alexandrova. The Russian dismantled Swiatek 6-4, 6-2. Swiatek never break serve while Alexandrova was dominant and aggressive in her return games.

Elsewhere, Maria Sakkari and Elena Rybakina advanced to a quarterfinal meeting tomorrow. Jessica Pegula toppled Emma Navarro and Danielle Collins eased past Sorana Cirstea.

Three-time champion Victoria Azarenka moved on to meet Yulia Putintseva in the last eight on Tuesday.

In the men’s draw in third round action, Carlos Alcaraz lit up the Miami night with 6-2, 6-4 win over Gael Monfils. There was plenty of shotmaking and artistry on the court and Alcaraz came out ahead.

“He’s a great athlete. He reaches almost every ball,” stated Alcaraz. “But at the same time, with my forehand, my best shot, I tried to move him around the court, tried to get him tired a little bit and give myself the chance to dominate the point, trying to go to the net and hitting my best shots.”

American men had a tough go. Ben Shelton blew a break lead in the second to lose in straights to Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 7-6(5). Former champion Hubert Hurkacz eliminated Sebastian Korda in three and Alexander Zverev knocked out Christopher Eubanks.

Tomorrow, it’s a full day of fourth round play with Alcaraz against Musetti, Zverev v Karen Khachanov and Jannik Sinner meets Christopher O’Connell.

TUESDAY MIAMI MASTERS SCHEDULE
Stadium – 12pm
(3) Daniil Medvedev vs Dominik Koepfer
2pm
Yulia Putintseva vs (27) Victoria Azarenka
3:30pm
(23) Lorenzo Musetti vs (1) Carlos Alcaraz

7pm
(8) Maria Sakkari vs (4) Elena Rybakina
8:30pm
(4) Alexander Zverev vs (15) Karen Khachanov

Grandstand – 11am
Tomas Machac vs Matteo Arnaldi
(7) Casper Ruud vs (22) Nicolas Jarry
(2) Jannik Sinner vs Christopher O’Connell
3:30pm
(11) Grigor Dimitrov vs (8) Hubert Hurkacz
7pm
(9) Alex de Minaur vs Fabian Marozsan
(1) Elise Mertens/Hsieh Su-wei vs Sofia Kenin/Bethanie Mattek-Sands

You Might Like:
Coco Gauff Ready To Play As The Big 3 In 2K Topspin
Grieving Sabalenka Wins At Rainy Miami Masters; Alcaraz, Swiatek, Sinner Saturday
Swiatek Rolls In Miami, Will Face Gauff Monday; Azarenka Walks Off
Bees Bombard Indian Wells But Can’t Stop Alcaraz, Sinner; Swiatek, Gauff A Win From Final
Swiatek Swats Away Garcia At WTA Finals; Kasatkina Eliminates Gauff