Sawt Falasteen - Fritz and Sinner book quarter-final spots in Miami

In a clash of two top-10 players, American Fritz defeated Denmark's Holger Rune 6-3, 6-4 to reach to the last eight in Miami for the first time in his career.

Fritz, who won at Delray Beach last month, beat Emilio Nava and Denis Shapovalov in straight sets before Tuesday's encounter and he was pleased with the way he was able to go on the attack.

"I couldn't play aggressively in my first two matches because my opponents were hitting every ball as hard as they could. (Rune) still crushes the ball but it was nice to feel I had some more time," Fritz said.

"The first two rounds, it was impossible to play my game, I just had to make balls. Today when I got the chance to be aggressive I was and I just wanted to serve well and try not to give him many free points."

Fritz will face the winner of a match scheduled for later Tuesday between world number one Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and American Tommy Paul.

Italian Sinner has also advanced to the last eight without dropping a set and he was in firm control from the outset against Russian sixth seed Andrey Rublev, winning 6-2, 6-4.

Sinner, who has never failed to reach the quarters in his three appearances in Miami, will face either Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp or Finland's Emil Ruusuvuori in the last eight.

A.Suleiman--SF-PST