By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday March 26, 2024
Grigor Dimitrov remained perfect against Hubert Hurkacz with a three-set victory on Tuesday night in Miami. Next up? Carlos Alcaraz.
Photo Source: Miami Open
Grigor Dimitrov is mister clutch when it comes to third-set tiebreaks – and facing Hubert Hurkacz. The 32-year-old Bulgarian remained solid in both areas on Tuesday as he rallied for a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) win over the No.8-seeded Pole, and pushed his lifetime record to 5-0 against the 2021 Miami champion.
Dimitrov improves to 5-0 lifetime against the 27-year-old Pole with the win, with four of those wins coming in Masters 1000 events, and three of them coming by way of third-set tiebreak.
On Tuesday former World No.3 came back from a set down and held his nerve in a tense tiebreak that featured a bit of drama.
At 2-2 Hurkacz came to the net for an easy put-away but he was ruled to have touched his foot against the net before his shot bounced twice. The point went to Dimitrov, and after Hurkacz threw his racquet and argued the call, he was only able to win one more before the match ended.
Dimitrov has won his last six deciding-set tiebreaks and improves to 18-4 on the season as he looks ahead to a quarterfinal clash with Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz moved past Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in an entertaining tussle on the big Stadium Court inside Hard Rock Stadium, even though it was the Italian who took the honors for most incredible hot shot.
Alcaraz stretched his winning streak to nine victories as he bids to become the first player to claim the Sunshine Double since Roger Federer in 2017.
Alcaraz won 18 of 22 net points and cracked 23 winners. After the match he said he is feeling better on court than he has in a long time.
"I don't know if this is the best game that I'm playing, but without a doubt it's the best feeling," Alcaraz said. "I'm feeling great on the court. I'm moving great, not injured or thinking about the ankle [injury] anymore. I think it’s the best feeling since last summer."
Dimitrov defeated Alcaraz in their last meeting, at Shanghai last fall, but it was Alcaraz who claimed the pair’s first three meetings.
“It's been like a kryptonite for me, this tournament,” Dimitrov said after reaching his first Miami quarterfinal, adding: "I'm looking forward to the match. Everyone wants to challenge the best of the world. Clearly [Carlos has] been playing outstanding tennis, but so am I.
“I've been very consistent on a lot of ends. I think if I clean up my game a little bit it can be very interesting. I'm excited because these are the types of matches I want to play. First time in the quarter-finals here, I think it gives you an extra boost."