Hurkacz Continues Title Defence With Karatsev Win

Hubert Hurkacz continued his love affair with the Miami Open presented by Itau Monday, edging Aslan Karatsev 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 on Grandstand to reach the fourth round.

The Pole broke new ground in Miami last season when he captured his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title. Hurkacz, who has since climbed from No. 37 in the ATP Rankings to current No. 10, produced a strong serving performance against Karatsev as he fired 24 aces to clinch his eighth consecutive win in Florida.

Following his two-hour, 24-minute triumph, Hurkacz now leads the 29-year-old 2-1 in their ATP Head2Head series. The eighth seed will next face Lloyd Harris or Yoshihito Nishioka in the round of 16.

Hurkacz is aiming to win his fifth tour-level crown this week but first of the year. His best result in 2022 came at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, where he advanced to the semi-finals.

The 25-year-old is the only previous Miami titlist left in the draw after American John Isner and former World No. 1 Andy Murray both fell at the second-round stage.