Carlos Alcaraz flattens Dusan Lajovic to set up last-16 clash with Tommy Paul at Miami Open
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Updated 26/03/2023 at 21:34 GMT
Carlos Alcaraz's superb recent form continued as the Miami Open champion's title defence continued with a straight-sets win over Dusan Lajovic. The world No. 1 flew out of the blocks by producing a first-set bagel on his way to cruising through to set up a last 16 clash with Tommy Paul. Alcaraz is looking for a second consecutive title after his win at Indian Wells.
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Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz stormed into the last 16 of the Miami Open with a dominant 6-0 7-6 (5) win over Dusan Lajovic that underlined the top seed’s status as the man to beat in Florida.
Alcaraz made short work of the Serbian with a first-set bagel, demonstrating his box of tricks with a selection of fizzing forehands, whipped winners and delicate drop shots.
He needed a tie-break to get over the line in the second after a surprising late rally from the Serbian, but finished the 91-minute match with 27 winners to his name.
Fresh off victory at Indian Wells, the world No. 1 is looking to defend the trophy he won last year and claim his third ATP title of the year.
He has got off to a strong start with his opening two wins over Facundo Bagnis and Lajovic, and is yet to drop a set in Miami.
Next up for the 19-year-old is a clash with Australian Open semi-finalist Tommy Paul, who defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in straight sets to reach the fourth round.
Lajovic promised to provide a tricky test for the Spaniard after his straight-sets wins against former world No. 1 Andy Murray and Maxime Cressy earlier in the week.
But the 32-year-old was blown away at the start; Alcaraz broke his opening service game and the Spaniard went on to take the next five games too to bagel Lajovic.
The energetic Spaniard produced some sensational shots, scurrying to his right to let rip with a winner down the line to seal the break for a 3-0 lead, and securing his third consecutive break at 5-0 with a cross-court forehand winner that wrong-footed Lajovic as he came forward.
Alcaraz was enjoying himself, grinning as he set up set point on serve, but it was Lajovic’s turn to crack a smile when he finally got on the board by holding his opening service game in the second set.
The teenage sensation was soon back to business, cracking another stunning winner across the court to take an early break at 2-1.
Lajovic never threatened a comeback until Alcaraz was serving for the set, when a couple of surprising unforced errors from the top seed gave the Serbian two break points.
Alcaraz saved the first, but then steered a backhand wide to surrender his first break of the match and Lajovic went on to hold and take the lead for the first time in the set in an unexpected turn of events.
A commanding hold from the Spaniard set up a tie-break, where he instantly earned a mini-break to go on the front foot before upping his game to see out the win, an ace and return winner helping the youngster over the line.
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