After collecting seven team titles in 2022, Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski will compete for their first crown of this season at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

On Friday, the Dutch-British duo won 22 of 31 points off their first delivery to survive Santiago Gonzalez and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-3, 4-6, 10-5 in the semi-finals at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Top seeds Koolhof and Skupski will compete in their first final of 2023 after earning three Masters 1000 titles last season: Madrid, Montreal, and Paris.

Koolhof and Skupski will next meet Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden, who saved all nine break points faced to edge defending champions John Isner and Jack Sock 7-6(6), 7-6(2).

The Indian-Australian duo captured Friday’s semi-final without seeing a break point of their own and kept a high level to win two tie-breaks. Bopanna and Ebden have been enjoying a strong start to the year, including winning the ATP 500 event in Dubai and a runner-up finish in Rotterdam.

The BNP Paribas Open men’s doubles final will be held Saturday not before 5 p.m. local time.

Fourth seed Alexander Bublik wasted no time Friday at the Arizona Tennis Classic to advance to the quarter-finals of the Challenger 175 event.

The 25-year-old needed just 53 minutes to defeat China’s Zhang Zhizhen 6-1, 6-2. Bublik backed up his heavy first delivery with a strong return performance, capturing 14 of 19 points off Zhang’s second serve.

The Kazakh, who saved all four break points faced Friday, will next seek to avenge his previous two losses (‘18 Budapest, ‘21 St. Petersburg) to Jan-Lennard Struff when he meets the German in the Phoenix Challenger quarter-finals. The qualifier Struff also cruised Friday, downing Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3, 6-3.

In front of a packed stadium at the Phoenix Country Club, top seed Matteo Berrettini moved past Aussie qualifier Aleksandar Vukic 7-5, 7-6(5). The Italian will next face Alexander Shevchenko, who won the Tenerife Challenger-1 earlier this year. Shevchenko advanced through qualifying in Phoenix and took out Gael Monfils and Marc-Andrea Huesler to make the last eight.

Three seeded players were upset Friday, including Frenchman Richard Gasquet, who fell to American Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-2, 3-6, 6-4. Kovacevic, 24, will rise into the Top 100 of the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings should he defeat Quentin Halys tomorrow.

The Frenchman Halys scored an upset of his own by taking down World No. 59 Emil Ruusuvuori 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Alexei Popyrin also advanced Friday when he downed seventh seed Mikael Ymer 6-2, 6-2.

Nuno Borges moved to a perfect 7-0 season record at the Challenger level by defeating Roman Safiullin. The Portuguese No. 1 backed up his highest-ranked win, which he earned Tuesday night by defeating second seed Diego Schwartzman.

Because of rain earlier this week, Saturday’s action in Phoenix will feature quarter-final matches in the morning and the semi-finals after suitable rest.

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Launching into the last 🎱#ATPChallenger | @aztennisclassic pic.twitter.com/lLRQRWY24K

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 17, 2023

Following a career-best season, Nuno Borges is building momentum and enjoying a hot start to 2023 on the ATP Challenger Tour. The 26-year-old, who won last month’s Monterrey Challenger, is aiming to continue his seven-match winning streak (Challenger level) at this week’s Arizona Tennis Classic.

Yet to drop a set this season on the Challenger Tour, Borges stated that he’s just reaping the fruits of his labour.

“Every time I step on court I feel like there’s more stuff that I try not to take for granted but it’s been there because of the work I’ve put in,” Borges said. “I feel a little faster on court, decision making is getting better at this level. I can say that yes that I am more confident [this year] because in the end these players are making me more uncomfortable and anytime you go up, it keeps getting more and more challenging. Confidence is very subjective and it really is a volatile thing, comes and goes like crazy, one match can change it all.”

On Friday, the Portuguese No. 1 defeated Roman Safiullin to book his ticket to the quarter-finals of the Arizona Tennis Classic, where he will next meet Australian Alexei Popyrin. Earlier in the week, Borges made a statement by earning his highest-ranked win: upsetting second seed and World No. 38 Diego Schwartzman.

“It felt great,” Borges said. “I think I surprised myself positively with how well I mentally stayed throughout the match through the ups and downs. I problem-solved very well. I served really well and I think that made a difference because in the rallies it’s very tough against him. Played really clean overall. It wasn’t perfect but I couldn’t ask for a better match.

“I’ve been in a really good moment. Throughout these few weeks, I’ve had a couple low moments but looking back, this year has been super positive.”

Borges turned pro after graduating from Mississippi State University, where he earned a kinesiology degree in 2019. The five-time ITA All American enjoyed a 31-match collegiate winning streak that came to a halt in his final match: the 2019 NCAA singles championship (l. Jubb).

Borges’ steady progress throughout the past eight months has helped lift him to a career-high 80 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. The Maia native also earned his maiden Grand Slam main-draw victory at the 2022 US Open (d. Shelton), which led to his Top 100 debut.

Despite his recent surge, Borges isn’t getting caught up in benchmarks or lofty goals for this season. The three-time Challenger Tour titlist is choosing to continue his hard work while being grateful for what he’s already accomplished. Borges isn’t attached to a particular ranking goal for this season.

“I don’t like to put a number on it,” Borges said. “Any tournament can put a whole change in your schedule. You win the next tournament and you put yourself a step higher and at a better tournament. I try to go one tournament at a time. I’ve already hit my goal honestly.

“If I had to set a goal, maybe 75 because it’s a little higher. If I didn’t go any higher this year, I think that’d be okay because it’s part of the process. It’s not always going to be about just going up, unless you’re Novak Djokovic. I’m not saying that I’m satisfied but I also need to be proud of my progress so far and enjoy playing these big tournaments because that’s what everyone who plays tennis hopes for. I need to be happy with those numbers but also want more and keep working.”

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
📈👀@BNPPARIBASOPEN

Tournament 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.

When is the Miami Open presented by Itau?

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.

Who is playing at the 2023 Miami Open presented by Itau?

The Miami Open presented by Itau will feature stars including Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud and Taylor Fritz.

When is the draw for the Miami Open presented by Itau?

The Miami Open presented by Itau draw release time is to be confirmed.

What is the schedule for the Miami Open presented by Itau?

*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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What is the prize money and points for the Miami Open presented by Itau?

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?

How can I watch the Miami Open presented by Itau?
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How can I follow the Miami Open presented by Itau?

Hashtag: #MiamiOpen
Facebook:@MiamiOpenTennis
Twitter: @MiamiOpen
Instagram: @miamiopen

Who won the last edition of the Miami Open presented by Itau in 2021?

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.

Who holds the Miami record for most titles, oldest champion, youngest champion and more?

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

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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A post shared by Aleksandr Shevchenko (@shevchenkoo_17)

“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.

View Draw 

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.