Novak Djokovic: World number one will not play at Miami Open after being denied entry to US
World number one Novak Djokovic has failed in his bid to play at next week’s Miami Open after being denied entry to the United States.
World number one Novak Djokovic has failed in his bid to play at next week’s Miami Open after being denied entry to the United States.
Daniil Medvedev and Frances Tiafoe’s paths to the BNP Paribas Open semi-finals have differed.
Medvedev’s route to his first semi-final in Indian Wells has not been smooth. The fifth seed was pushed to three sets against Ilya Ivashka in the third round, before he overcame a right ankle injury to claw past Alexander Zverev in the fourth round.
Tiafoe’s journey to the same stage has been the opposite, with the American yet to drop a set in Indian Wells. The 25-year-old, currently No. 14 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, is chasing his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title this weekend and will rise into the Top 10 for the first time if he triumphs.
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Medvedev overcame Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to set a semi-final clash against Tiafoe, but suffered once again, slicing his thumb open during the win. While concerned, the former World No. 1, believes it won’t impact his chances of extending his 18-match winning run and capturing his fifth ATP Masters 1000 title.
“I absolutely cut it open. It was like fully open,” said Medvedev, who twice required treatment to stop the bleeding. “I never cut myself with a knife even like this because I don’t cook much. Now it’s getting black. I don’t know if it’s a good sign.
“The question is going to be whether I tape [my fingers] for the match or not,” Medvedev later added. “But that’s not a big problem, because I managed to play well with the tape today. A lot of players tape their fingers and manage to play well, so I’m going to be able to do it also.”
Medvedev has been in red-hot form in the past month, capturing tour-level titles in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai before arriving in Indian Wells. If the World No. 6 claims his fourth consecutive crown this weekend, he will have earned 20 straight wins, equalling the longest winning streak of his career.
For now, his focus will be on Tiafoe, whom he leads 4-0 in their ATP Head2Head series. The 25-year-old Tiafoe enters the clash high in confidence, though, having not dropped a set en route to his first ATP Masters 1000 semi-final. He will be aiming to use his thunderous serve and big forehand to break down Medvedev’s brick wall defence.
“I am able to take the racquet out of players’ hands,” Tiafoe said following his quarter-final win against Cameron Norrie. “I am crafty, I can move. I stay in the points and don’t give away too many free points. I have grown as a player tremendously and it is showing. I am really happy with my progress.”
Yet to drop a set & through to 1/2 final!@FTiafoe using all of the court 📐, especially on his forehand cross-court winning play.
The 17 winning plays on the FH cross made a significant contribution to his #InAttack advantage over Norrie#WinningPlays:
✅ Highlight a… https://t.co/rPQEheFr1Z pic.twitter.com/2hJnjbRQPW— Tennis Insights (@tennis_insights) March 15, 2023
Tiafoe will need to find his best level if he is to upset Medvedev. The fifth seed has not enjoyed the slow conditions in Indian Wells, but has found a way to win, anchoring himself behind the baseline during his run to the last four. He has used his long levers to absorb pressure before turning the tables with his flat forehand.
Possessing a dynamic game, Tiafoe will try to use his court craft to disrupt Medvedev’s rhythm. He will aim to charge the net and step into the court, using his big forehand to hitting an array of angles to exploit Medvedev’s deep-court position.
Aiming to become the second consecutive American to reach the final in Indian Wells (Taylor Fritz champion 2022), Tiafoe will lean on the experience he gained from his semi-final run at the US Open last year as he looks to earn his 10th Top 10 win.
View Medvedev and Tiafoe’s full ATP H2H series.
8 becomes 4‼️Semi-Finals Preview
📈👀@BNPPARIBASOPENTournament Avg. of the 1/4 finalists with Semi-Final matchups…#InAttack X #BaselineBattle#Steal X #Conversion #ShotQuality 📉 in the 🧵…#TennisInsights | @atptour | @BNPPARIBASOPEN pic.twitter.com/yqSGTc4SlM
— Tennis Insights (@tennis_insights) March 17, 2023
The world’s best players will compete at the Miami Open presented by Itau for the 38th edition of the ATP Masters 1000 event, held in Miami. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and last year’s finalist Casper Ruud will lead the way at the season’s second Masters 1000.
Here’s what you need to know.
The 2023 Miami Open presented by Itau will be held from 22 March-2 April. The hard-court ATP Masters 1000 tournament, established in 1985, will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. The tournament director is James Blake.
The Miami Open presented by Itau will feature stars including Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud and Taylor Fritz.
The Miami Open presented by Itau draw release time is to be confirmed.
*Qualifying: Monday 20 March – Tuesday 21 March at 11 a.m.
*Main Draw: Wednesday 22 March – Tuesday 28 March at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m.
*Wednesday 29 March – Friday 31 March at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
*Doubles Final: Saturday 1 April not before 3:30 p.m.
*Singles Final: Sunday 2 April 1 p.m.
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The prize money is $8,800,000 and the Total Financial Commitment for the Miami Open presented by Itau is $10,143,750.
SINGLES
Winner: $1,262,220/1000 points
Finalist: $662,360/600 points
Semi-finalist: $352,635/260 points
Quarter-finalist: $184,465/180 points
Round of 16: $96,955/90 points
Round of 32: $55,770/45 points
Second Round: $30,855/25 points
First Round: $18,660/10 points
DOUBLES (US Dollars; per team)
Winner: $436,730/1000 points
Finalist: $231,660/600 points
Semi-finalist: $123,550/360 points
Quarter-finalist: $62,630/180 points
Second Round: $33,460/90 points
First Round: $18,020/0 points
How can I watch the Miami Open presented by Itau?
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Hashtag: #MiamiOpen
Facebook:@MiamiOpenTennis
Twitter: @MiamiOpen
Instagram: @miamiopen
Carlos Alcaraz won the 2022 Miami Open presented by Itau singles title with a 7-5, 6-4 victory against Casper Ruud in the championship match. Hubert Hurkacz and John Isner lifted the doubles trophy in Miami with a 7-6(5), 6-4 triumph against Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski in the final.
Most Titles, Singles: Andre Agassi, Novak Djokovic (6)
Most Titles, Doubles: Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan (6)
Oldest Champion: Roger Federer, 37, in 2019
Youngest Champion: Carlos Alcaraz, 18, in 2022
Highest-Ranked Champion: No. 1 Ivan Lendl in 1986, 1989, Pete Sampras in 1994, Roger Federer in 2005-06, Novak Djokovic in 2012, 2015-16
Lowest-Ranked Champion (since 1985): No. 45 Tim Mayotte in 1985
Most Match Wins: Andre Agassi (61)
View Who Is Playing, Past Champions, Seeds, Points & Prize Money Breakdown
Great Britain name an unchanged squad to face France in their Billie Jean King Cup qualifier, with Emma Raducanu unavailable for selection.
Young guns Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will write another chapter into their growing rivalry Saturday when they collide in the semi-finals at the BNP Paribas Open.
The 19-year-old Alcaraz, who blitzed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarter-finals, is chasing a double prize this weekend in Indian Wells. The Spaniard will return to No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the first time since January if he captures his third ATP Masters 1000 crown at the hard-court event.
However, he will have his work cut out against the 21-year-old Sinner, who enters the semi-final blockbuster off the back of a statement win against 2022 champion Taylor Fritz.
“I’m really happy to play against him again. Great battles,” Alcaraz said when previewing the match. “I enjoy the matches against him. I would say it’s going to be a really good match, for the fans as well, to watch that match. And for myself as well. I will try to show my best, to show my 100 per cent. Jannik is playing great. I’m going to enjoy that match.”
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7 Key Matches In Alcaraz’s Fast Path To 100 Wins
What Alcaraz Must Do At Indian Wells To Return To World No. 1
Fire🔥power off both wings!!@carlosalcaraz high-level #ShotQuality off the ground and his first win against Auger-Aliassime. Sets up 1/2 final vs Sinner 👀🍿
See the thread 🧵 for the frequency #ShotQualities occur on the @atptour #TennisInsights | @BNPPARIBASOPEN pic.twitter.com/A0GKeJ7jWp
— Tennis Insights (@tennis_insights) March 17, 2023
Saturday’s clash in the California desert will be the fifth meeting between the former Next Gen ATP Finals champions. Locked at 2-2 in their ATP Head2Head series, Alcaraz will look to take confidence from their previous meeting, when he saved a match point in an epic five-set win at the 2022 US Open. The top seed went on to win the crown in New York and will be hoping history repeats itself this weekend.
Sinner is aiming to break new ground in Indian Wells where he chases his maiden ATP Masters 1000 crown. The Italian, who advanced to his lone final at this level in Miami in 2021 (l. to Hurkacz), is currently No. 11 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings. He will climb back into the Top 10 if defeats Alcaraz and will jump to No. 6 if he lifts the trophy, which would be a new career-high.
After capturing four tour-level titles in 2021, Sinner triumphed just once in 2022. The Italian has already equalled that mark this season, capturing the crown in Montpellier and has looked back to his best in Indian Wells, defeating Richard Gasquet, Adrian Mannarino and Stan Wawrinka in straight sets.
“I am in a much, much better position where I was one year ago,” Sinner said following the third Top 5 win of his career against Fritz. “We take care of quite everything. I also know my body better, when to practise or when maybe to only do the gym.
“Also mentally was tough last year, so this year I feel much, much better . I am in a good position right now, but I feel like we have so much work to do still.”
When Alcaraz and Sinner walk onto Stadium 1, fireworks will be expected. During their five-set quarter-final match at the US Open both men bludgeoned the ball with unrelenting force from the baseline and showed incredible speed and athleticism to repel each other’s attacks. In a thrilling match, Alcaraz outlasted Sinner 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-7(0), 7-5, 6-3, saving one match point in the fourth set en route to his five-hour, 15-minute triumph. The battle was the second-longest match in US Open history, ending at 2:50 a.m.
The match in New York has been highlighted as the moment in which Alcaraz and Sinner stepped out of the shadow of the ‘Big Three’ era.
“Probably at the end of the match, I was [at] my end. It was really, really tough for me,” Alcaraz said following his win. “[But], during the whole match, five hours, 15 minutes of the match, I felt great physically. The level of tennis that we played, it was really, really high. But I felt great. The energy I received in this court at 3 a.m., it was unbelievable.”
Sinner also shared his reflections.
“I had some tough losses. This is in the top list,” Sinner said at the time. “I think this one will hurt for quite a while.”
Alcaraz also won their other hard-court clash at the Rolex Paris Masters in 2021. Sinner triumphed in four sets in the fourth round at Wimbledon last year, before he defeated the Spaniard in the Umag final on clay last July.
The pair will look to live up to the hype once again on Saturday in a clash Alcaraz is relishing.
“I have to be really really focused in every shot. I have to play my best,” Alcaraz said. “That’s why Jannik is such a great player, as well. Not only with great serve, great movements, it is because he pushed the opponent to the limit. Trying to play aggressive with great shots. And to the opponent it is really tough to be focused, mentally and physically during the whole match.”
View Alcaraz and Sinner’s full ATP H2H series.
A busy Thursday at the Arizona Tennis Classic saw Alexander Shevchenko score a win that he won’t soon forget. The 22-year-old ousted French wild card Gael Monfils in the first round of the Phoenix Challenger 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-3.
Post match, the qualifier Shevchenko posted on Instagram a message sharing his admiration for the former World No. 6.
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“Such an emotional match for me,” Shevchenko said. “[Gael] was the reason I fell in love with the game.”
Shevchenko is coached by Gunter Bresnik, who has worked with prominent players such as Boris Becker, Patrick McEnroe, Dominic Thiem, and fittingly—Monfils.
After sleeping on a 2-0 lead in the deciding set following rain suspending Wednesday’s play, Shevchenko held his nerve in the closing stages to advance at the Challenger 175 event.
In other opening-round action Thursday, top seed Matteo Berrettini won 28 of 33 first serve points to defeat countryman and lucky loser Mattia Bellucci 6-4, 6-4. The 2019 Phoenix Challenger champion will next meet Aussie qualifier Aleksandar Vukic on Friday afternoon.
“I’m really happy to be here and get the win, great start,” Berrettini said. “I came here to make a long run and play as many matches as possible.”
With crowd support behind him at the Phoenix Country Club, American Aleksandar Kovacevic was firing on all cylinders en route to 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(6) victory against Christopher O’Connell. Currently World No. 104 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, Kovacevic could rise into the Top 100 should he beat third seed Richard Gasquet.
Match insights @kova_aleks style 🧠🙋♂️
#ATPChallenger | @aztennisclassic pic.twitter.com/MCTv7fhEBN— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 17, 2023
Earlier in the day, eighth seed Emil Ruusuvuori cruised past Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3, 6-0. The Finn will meet Quentin Halys in the second round.
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Top seeds Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski continued their smooth sailing at the BNP Paribas Open with a convincing quarter-final win on Thursday night. The Dutch-British duo’s 6-3, 6-3 win against Jamie Murray and Michael Venus closed the evening’s play on the Indian Wells stadium court, after Carlos Alcaraz beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in singles action.
Koolhof/Skupsi saved the lone break point against them and converted on three of six break chances in the victory, including one that doubled as match point. With two aces, the top seeds were dominant on first serve, winning 85 per cent of points behind their first delivery.
They will face Santiago Gonzalez and Edouard Roger-Vasselin in Friday’s semi-finals, after the Mexican-French pair came from behu=ind to upset fifth seeds Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara 2-6, 6-2, 10-7 on Stadium 2. The teams combined to create 19 break points in an eventful match, with both teams breaking four times.
Friday’s other semi-final will see defending and two-time champions John Isner and Jack Sock take on Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden.
As he continues to gain steam in his bid for a maiden BNP Paribas Open title, Carlos Alcaraz crossed off another first on Thursday night in Indian Wells. For the first time in four ATP Head2Head meetings with Felix Auger-Aliassime, the Spaniard emerged victorious with a 6-4, 6-4 result in the desert.
In a thoroughly entertaining quarter-final, two of the brightest young stars in the game delivered a non-stop reel of highlight points. The power, athleticism and shotmaking on display kept the stadium crowd enraptured for two hours, with both players producing magic from all parts of the court.
“Today, the goal was to stay there,” Alcaraz said, noting that he faded in the final set of their Basel meeting last October. “I knew that I was going to have my chances. [I had to] try to take it. Probably I played one of my best matches this season, in 2023. I’m really happy and [want to] keep going.”
The victory, Alcaraz’s first against a Top 10 opponent since he beat Casper Ruud in the US Open final, moved the Spaniard within two wins of a return to the top of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. Into the Indian Wells semi-finals for the second straight year (l. to Nadal in 2022), he will next meet Jannik Sinner, with Daniil Medvedev or Frances Tiafoe potentially beyond that in the final.
While the top-seeded Alcaraz dominated early and late, Auger-Aliassime matched him blow for blow for much of the match. The Spaniard fought off the first break point against him to serve out the opening set, but could not deny his opponent’s charge as the eighth seed broke to level the second set at 1-1.
With drop shots, lobs and bruising winners galore, it was a deft drop volley that brought up the decisive break point late in the second set for Alcaraz. After a seven-minute game — one of many marathons on the serve of Auger-Aliassime, who saved nine of 12 break points — Alcaraz converted his third break of the match before confidently serving out the win. Prior to Thursday, he was 0 for 11 on break chances against the Canadian.
“This is the first time I broke his serve and I’m really proud of that,” said Alcaraz, who praised his opponent’s big first serve. “I tried to attack the second serve, tried to dominate the points, tried to play from the baseline and tried to be aggressive, taking the opportunity when he is serving the second serve.”
The 19-year-old Alcaraz, who is now 13-9 against Top 10 opposition, is seeking to become the second man to win at least three ATP Masters as a teen, having won Miami and Madrid last year. His countryman Rafael Nadal won six.
Auger-Aliassime, 22, fell short of his third ATP Masters 1000 semi-final. Despite his best Indian Wells run drawing to a close, his success moved him up four places to No. 6 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings. He will match his career-high Pepperstone ATP Ranking on Monday, unless Sinner wins the title.
Alcaraz and Sinner are level at 2-2 in their ATP Head2Head series, with the Spaniard winning a record-late five-setter in the US Open quarter-finals on his way to his first Grand Slam title.
“I’m really happy to play against him again. Great battles,” Alcaraz previewed. “I enjoy the matches against him. I would say it’s going to be a really good match, for the fans as well, to watch that match. And for myself as well. I will try to show my best, to show my 100 per cent. Jannik is playing great. I’m going to enjoy that match.”
Alcaraz has not conceded a set in Indian Wells, while Sinner lost his first set of the tournament in his Thursday quarter-final victory against defending champion Taylor Fritz.
Indian Wells 2023
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Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz both entered their Thursday BNP Paribas Open quarter-final with lengthy winning streaks in the desert, defending champion Fritz on a nine-match tear and and Sinner on a run of five victories, excluding his fourth-round withdrawal last year.
The comfort level of both men in Indian Wells was apparent in a high-quality matchup, with Sinner’s huge hitting making the difference in the crucial moments of a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win. Already the first Italian man to reach the quarters in the event’s 47-year history, Sinner extended his historic tournament by improving to 3-3 in his past six matches against Top 5 opposition.
“I just tried to play quite aggressively, which I’ve done,” Sinner said. “I’m obviously very happy about the performance. Playing against Taylor is never easy. I lost against him two years ago here. He loves the conditions here so I’m very happy that I found a way today.”
Sinner is now through to his second ATP Masters 1000 semi-final, after his run to the 2021 Miami title match (l. to Hurkacz). He will meet Carlos Alcaraz or Felix Auger-Aliassime on Saturday in the last four.
His desert success has lifted him two places to No. 11 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings — one place behind Fritz, who will fall at least five places to No. 10 on Monday.
Sinner powered to a fast start and won the opening set behind a break in the very first game. The 11th seed continued to threaten on return throughout the set and secured the 6-4 opener with a love hold.
Fritz settled in during set two, increasing his shot tolerance and rattling off three love holds of his own. As Sinner’s error count increased, the Italian ultimately paid for his dip in level when Fritz held his nerve to execute a two-shot pass on the first break point of the set for either man, which doubled as set point.
“I think the wind came a little bit at some points, especially in the second set,” Sinner assessed. “He started to move me around little bit more. I think we both have very similar play styles. We both try to be very aggressive from the baseline, so I tried to mix things up a little bit. Obviously how I played the third set, I’m very happy.”
A dramatic open to the final set saw a trade of breaks, followed by a 0/40 escape by Fritz, who used a timely barrage of big serves to wriggle out of trouble. The American again had the answer for a break point at 3-3, motoring up to a drop shot to angle a clutch backhand winner, but Sinner’s aggressive game delivered a late breakthrough to make it 5-4.
A love hold finished the job for Sinner after two hours, 17 minutes, his final-set victory banishing the demons of fifth-set losses to Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas at the past three Grand Slams.
World number one Iga Swiatek continues her pursuit of back-to-back Indian Wells titles as she cruises past Sorana Cirstea to reach the semi-finals.
