Jannik Sinner is into the semi-finals of the Miami Open after beating Tomas Machac in straight sets.
The world No. 3 was forced to dig deep against Machac, who ended the hopes of Andy Murray in a dramatic last-32 contest that left the Brit facing more time out of the game.
But the Australian Open champion eventually broke his opponent’s resistance to complete a 6-4 6-2 victory to set up a last-four clash with either Daniil Medvedev or Nicolas Jarry.
“This for me is a really special tournament,” Sinner told Sky Sports. “Four years ago I made the final for the first time in a Masters event and this is always in your heart.
“Coming back is a really special feeling.”
The match could hardly have started better for Sinner, who broke to 15 in the opening game. Machac immediately showed he was up for the challenge, though, and broke back to restore parity at 1-1.
It was a set that was packed with brilliant rallies, as both players displayed their elite ball-striking from the back of the court.
Four successive holds brought an enthralling encounter to 3-3 before Sinner made his move, breaking for 4-3 and then holding for 5-3.
Machac forced the Italian to serve out the set and he made no mistake.
In the second, the errors started to flow from the Czech’s racquet, although he did well to save two break points and hold serve in the opening game.
He would lose his next two service games, however, as the extra accuracy from Sinner told and saw him take a 5-1 lead.
Machac fought to the end of his first Masters 1000 quarter-final appearance but he was powerless to stop Sinner, who is still on course for a third title of the season, having clinched his first Grand Slam in Melbourne and then backed that up by winning the Rotterdam Open.
“We practice hard to be in this position,” Sinner added. “For me, coming here after Indian Wells to compete in the best possible way and just be happy on the court.
“It’s tricky to play here because of the wind sometimes and you have to be strong mentally and accept every situation on the court and this is where I have improved a lot.”