Sinner breezes past Machac to return to Miami Open semi-finals
Jannik Sinner defeated Tomas Machac in straight sets on Tuesday and will play the winner of the match between Nicolas Jarry and Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals.
Jannik Sinner, Miami Open, 2024 © Julien Nouet / Tennis Majors
Jannik Sinner cruised into the semi-finals of the Miami Open by defeating Tomas Machac 6-4, 6-2 at Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Sinner broke serve four times while advancing in one hour and 31 minutes.
The Italian was in typically fine form, facing only one break point — which he lost — while generating 11 break-point chances against the Machac serve. Sinner’s reward is a second consecutive trip to the Miami semi-finals, having previously reached the title match in 2023 (lost to Daniil Medvedev).
The world No 3 could have a rematch with Medvedev on the menu during Friday’s semi-finals. That would be the case if the Russian gets past Chile’s Nicolas Jarry on Wednesday night.
Sinner actually lost his opening service game against Machac, which came with him leading 1-0 in the first set. From there, however, he was clinical on serve the entire time. Following the early hiccup, Miami’s No 2 seed regained control with a break at 3-3 in the first set and two service breaks in the second — at 1-1 and 3-1 — were more than enough. He eventually converted his second match point at 5-2, 40-15 with a service winner.
Sinner ends Machac’s improbable Miami Open run
Machac, 23, was playing in his first Masters 1000 quarter-final. His best-ever result so far on the ATP Tour came at the expense of American wild card Darwin Blanch (6-4, 6-2), Russian Andrey Rublev, the No 5 seed (6-4, 6-4), Andy Murray (5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (5)) and Italian Matteo Arnaldi (6-3, 6-3).
“He has an incredible talent to play this sport,” Sinner said of Machac. “He’s super fast; physically in great shape. I didn’t know exactly what to expect today. In the first games I was [trying to figure out] what tactics could work or not. But I’m really happy for him. Today I played [well] — especially in the important moments. The scoreboard you see the score, but it’s sometimes lying. Today it was a little bit like this.”
In addition to two straight Miami semis, the reigning Australian Open champion has now made back-to-back final four appearances in the Sunshine Double (lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Indian Wells semi-finals two weeks ago).
“Physically I feel good,” Sinner assured. “I’m just happy to compete…. I’m really happy that I can play once again in the semis at such a special tournament — especially for me. I made a Masters 1000 semi-final for the first time here. I’m really happy to be back in the semis.”
Ahead of his quarter-final victory, Sinner defeated qualifier Andrea Vavassori (6-3, 6-4), Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, the No 25 seed (5-7, 7-5, 6-1) and Australian Christopher O’Connell (6-4, 6-3).
