As a regular, the 21-year-old Italian (11th in the world), finalist of the event in 2021, reaches this stage for the third year in a row. On his way, the Russian (7th) was not a big obstacle, as he dismissed him 6-2, 6-4 by spending 1:12 on court.

"Today I felt good and executed my game plan very well. I had to take the opportunities he was going to give me and I did it," said Sinner, who now leads 3-2 in their clashes.

He went it alone in the first set, sharper and more precise, without leaving any opportunity to break his opponent.

Rublev, 25, didn't have a single one either in the second set, as the Italian, winner in Montpellier in February and semi-finalist ten days ago in Indian Wells, remained unstoppable, still inspired and determined, finishing his match with 29 winning shots and only two direct faults.

An almost perfect score that sends a strong message to the competition, starting with his next opponent, the Finn Emil Ruusuvuori (54th).

American Taylor Fritz at the Masters 1000 in Miami, March 28, 2023 © CLIVE BRUNSKILL / Getty / AFP

Fritz (10th) was also very strong to dispose of Rune 6-3, 6-4 and reach the quarterfinals in Miami for the first time.

The 25-year-old American, who remains on a title gleaned in Florida, at Delray Beach in February, was very realistic in the key moments, as he erased five of the six break balls obtained by the 18-year-old Dane, revealed last year by his surprise triumph at Bercy. And he converted three of the four opportunities to steal the service game.

Rybakina without trembling

"In my first two rounds, my opponents (Emilio Nava and Denis Shapovalov) hit all the balls as hard as they could. It was impossible for me to play my game, I just had to make balls. Today, when I had the opportunity to be aggressive, I was and I just wanted to serve well and try not to give him a lot of free points," Fritz said.

He could have much more to do in the next round, against world No. 1 and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. Unless the American Tommy Paul (19th) creates the sensation by taking out the Spaniard in the afternoon (Miami time).

On the program of the day, there is all the other 1/8 finals for men, including that of the Russian Daniil Medvedev (5th), another man in form of the circuit, against the Frenchman Quentin Halys (79th).

On the women's side, Elena Rybakina (7th) thrashed Italy's Martina Trevisan (6th) 3-6, 0-24 to reach the final four of the event for the first time.

The 23-year-old Kazakh, who is now on twelve consecutive victories, has never wavered against an opponent she was meeting for the first time, taking a step up after a tricky start to the tournament. She had to erase a match ball in the 3rd round, before knocking over Spain's Paula Badosa.

Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina serves against Italy's Martina Trevisan in Miami, March 28, 2023 © MATTHEW STOCKMAN/Getty/AFP

The Wimbledon champion in 2022 and finalist in Melbourne in January relied in particular on her excellent serve, her 10 aces now making 201 since the beginning of the year, the best total on the circuit.

In search of a "Sunshine Double" (double Indian Wells / Miami) that only three players have managed in the same year - Steffi Graf twice, Kim Clijsters and Victoria Azarenka -, she will then be opposed to the American Jessica Pegula (3rd) or the Russian Anastasia Potapova (26th).

© 2023 AFP