Alcaraz, Zverev advance to Miami Open last 16

Top seed Carlos Alcaraz defeated Gael Monfils 6-2 6-4, and fourth seed Alexander Zverev survived a tight first set to defeat Christopher Eubanks 7-6(4) 6-3 on Monday to advance to the Miami Open's last 16.

Alcaraz is attempting to complete the 'Sunshine Double' following his victory at Indian Wells, and the 20-year-old was never truly threatened in a matchup between two of the game's most entertaining players.

The Spaniard appeared to be on his way to victory when he served for the match at 5-2, but Monfils broke and extended the match with a forehand winner.

The comeback would be short-lived, however, as Alcaraz used a textbook serve and volley on his first match point to seal the victory with a love hold.

"He's a great athlete. He reaches almost every ball," Alcaraz said of 37-year-old Frenchman Monfils.

"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."

Among those in attendance were Brazilian footballer Neymar, Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, and former Grand Slam champion Juan Martin del Potro.

"It's kind of difficult to stay focused on the match, having such legends from every sport," Alcaraz said.

"It's a great opportunity to have them here, to talk with them a little bit. It's great to put on a show in front of them."

Alcaraz, who won the tournament in 2022, will face Italy's Lorenzo Musetti, who defeated American Ben Shelton 6-4, 7-6(5).

Zverev limited his unforced errors, converted two break point opportunities, and saved four of the five break points he faced on his way to finishing the one-hour and 44-minute match with a forehand volley into the open court.

"It was a difficult match. I thought he was in control of it throughout the first set," said former Miami Open finalist Zverev. "I was just hanging on and sometimes that is just what you need to do."

Eubanks had a chance to serve out the first set at 5-3, but was denied by Zverev, who broke the American again early in the second set to take a 3-0 advantage. Zverev later had to save three break points to finish the match.

Khachanov, the 15th seed, will face Zverev in the last 16 after converting his fifth match point to defeat Argentine 20th seed Francisco Cerundolo 6-1 5-7 7-6(5).

Zverev leads Khachanov 3-2, with his most recent victory coming in the gold medal match at the Tokyo Olympics.

Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, Polish Hubert Hurkacz, Australian Alex de Minaur, and Hungarian Fabian Marozsan have all advanced.

SportsLigue