Carlos Alcaraz played well at the season’s first Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells. An 18-year-old reached his first Masters 1000 semi-final and lost to Rafael Nadal after over three hours of a grueling battle. Hungry for more, the young gun played well in Miami and advanced into the fourth round with a 6-4, 6-4 triumph over the 21st seed Marin Cilic.
Carlos beat Marin in an hour and 35 minutes, serving well and delivering one break in each set. The Spaniard dropped 14 points in ten service games and defended the only break point he faced. Marin felt the pressure and could not endure it until at least one tie break.
The Croat defended seven out of nine break points, which was not enough to keep him in contention longer. Carlos tamed his strokes nicely and hit 16 winners and 14 unforced errors. He had the advantage in the mid-range and most extended rallies to emerge at the top and remain on the title course.
Marin closed the encounter’s opening game with a powerful serve and earned a break chance in game two.
Carlos Alcaraz toppled Marin Cilic at the Miami Masters.
Carlos denied it with a forehand down the line winner and leveled the score at 1-1 to avoid an early setback.
Alcaraz took charge in the exchanges in the third game to create two break chances, missing both after Cilic’s solid hitting. The Spaniard attacked on the fourth break point and forced the rival’s mistake to grab an early break and move 2-1 in front.
A teenager cemented the lead with a hold at love in game four thanks to a service winner. Cilic cracked a backhand crosscourt winner in game five to remain within one break deficit before Alcaraz responded with a forehand crosscourt winner in game six for 4-2.
The Croat produced a fine hold in game seven, and the Spaniard grabbed the next one with a service winner to move 5-3 ahead. Marin served to stay in the set in game nine and faced a set point after Carlos’ perfect lob winner.
Cilic denied it and held with a booming serve for 4-5. Alcaraz created a set point in game ten with a service winner and delivered another for 6-4 in 48 minutes. Marin held after deuces at the start of the second set, and Carlos followed that pace in game two for 1-1.
Cilic netted a backhand in the third game and faced three break points. He denied them and claimed five straight points for a vital hold and 2-1. Both players served well in the next couple of games, and Alcaraz locked the result at 3-3 after Cilic’s wild forehand.
The Croat claimed the seventh game at love with a service winner before the Spaniard held at 30 in the next one for 4-4. Carlos stepped in on the return in game nine and fired a forehand winner for a break chance. He converted it to build the advantage and serve for the victory at 5-4. The young gun held at love in game ten after forcing the rival’s smash error that propelled him into the last 16.
