US top seed Carlos Alcaraz beat Gael Monfils 6-2, 6-4 to keep his hopes of a Masters 1000 double alive in the US.
The match ended after 75 minutes, with Alcaraz saving four break points. Monfils could have lost the second set more quickly, but he still held on to his chance by winning the only return game of the match. However, the Frenchman did not score any points in his junior's final serve game.
Alcaraz (right) hugs Monfils at the net after the third round match of the Miami Open. Photo: Reuters
The 17-year age gap between him and his opponent was a barrier for Monfils. The veteran player repeatedly failed to keep up with Alcaraz's fast balls. He also struggled to deal with Alcaraz's drop shots.
Alcaraz will face Lorenzo Musetti, who beat Ben Shelton 6-4, 7-5, in the fourth round. He is on course to win the "Sunshine Double" on American soil, something only seven other players have achieved. Last year, Alcaraz won the BNP Paribas Open but lost in the semi-finals of the Miami Open.
"Winning Indian Wells and Miami is a big dream that I haven't thought about yet," Alcaraz said. "Right now I'm just focused on the match ahead. Today was an interesting match against Monfils. He's always been a player with a lot of energy and a lot of freedom."
Also through to the fourth round are Grigor Dimitrov and Hubert Hurkacz. While Dimitrov dropped just one game against Yannick Hanfmann, Hurkacz had to play three tight sets against Sebastian Korda. The other fourth round matchup is also worth watching as Alexander Zverev faces Karen Khachanov.
Alex de Minaur continues to impress with his 19th win of the season, the most wins so far on the 2024 ATP Tour. The Australian talent defeated Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6, 6-4 and will play phenomenon Fabian Marozsan in the fourth round. Marozsan has just shocked by defeating Holger Rune and Alexei Popyrin in the last two rounds.
Vy Anh
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