Carlos Alcaraz forced to accept brutal reality as he slumps to shock Miami Open defeat

Grigor Dimitrov beats Carlos Alcaraz in Miami

Carlos Alcaraz’s hopes of completing the ‘Sunshine Double’ are over after an inspired performance from Grigor Dimitrov stunned a packed Miami Open crowd at Hard Rock Stadium.

Dimitrov has rarely played with the sustained level of brilliance he showed against Alcaraz in a high-quality quarter-final clash, with the final 6-2 6-4 scoreline highlighting the Bulgarian’s irresistible dominance.

Alcaraz looked stunned as Dimitrov threw a succession of brilliance passing shots in his direction, with the finishing backhand to wrap up the set as a work of art.

Dimitrov then raced into a 4-1 lead in the second set before a spine-tingling comeback from Alcaraz saw him break Dimitrov’s serve with some power-packed forehands.

Yet the more experienced player held his nerve to break in what proved to be the final game of the match, with the joy he showed the end highlighting he magnitude of his achievement.

“In order to beat Carlos you have to play at your best. That’s just how it is,” declared Dimitrov.

“I came into the match very focused and extremely clear on what I had to do. Sometimes, simplicity is genius.

“It’s very hard to do it, especially against an opponent like that. But I was able to really dictate and read the game better than I did last time.

“Overall, very great match on my hand. I’m just happy I finished in straight sets for once.”

Alcaraz could have no complaints as he was forced to accept the brutal reality that he was beaten by a better player on the day.

The Spaniard had not had to resign himself to such a grim conclusion too often in his young career, but this was Dimitrov’s moment.

The Bulgarian now faces the task of taking on Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals, with the on-court interviewer quick to remind Dimitrov that he has not beaten his next opponent since 2014.

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Zverev has won his last seven matches against Dimitrov, but the underdog in this next clash suggested this could be the moment for the tide to turn.

“It’s a number man,” he added on the ten-year wait for a win against Zverev. “It is how it is. Just another opponent for me right now.

“I wanna first see what I did today in order to prepare for the next one. That’s my goal right now. I don’t want to overthink to much. I don’t want to think ‘Oh god I’ve played him so many times.’

“It’s just another match. I’m so grateful to be out here in the semifinals. The furthest I’ve gone in this event. It brings me a lot of joy.”

In the other half of the ATP draw in Miami, defending champion Daniil Medvedev saw off a late challenge from Nicolas Jarry to book a semi-final rematch with Jannik Sinner.

Medvedev beat Sinner in last year’s Miami final, but the Italian came from two sets down to claim the Australia Open title in January.

World number four Medvedev cruised through the first set against Jarry 6-2 but had to battle his way through a tie-break win in the second set as the Chilean fought his way back into the match.

“The first set I thought I was playing a good level, not doing anything extra, just enough to win,” Medvedev said.

“Then he started to play much better and it was tough rallies, tough points. He served better and it was just a matter of a few points in the tie-break.”

Sinner reached his fourth semi-final of the year as he eased past Tomas Machac 6-4 6-2 in 91 minutes.

“Physically I feel good. I’m just happy to compete,” Sinner said.

“We practise very hard to be in these positions and I’m really happy I can play once again in the semis here at such a special tournament.

“It’s special for me, I made my first Masters 1000 final here, so I’m really happy to be back in the semis.”