After his victory in the previous round against Australian Alex de Minaur (15th), the 26-year-old Bondynois continued his momentum by dismissing American Mackenzie McDonald 7-6 (7/2), 6-3.

With fifteen aces and 70% of first balls, Halys was able to rely on his serve to beat, once again, a player better ranked than him (55th).

"I know exactly what I have to do on the court and I really trust my serve," he told AFP, explaining that he had worked on his mind to better manage his mistakes in matches.

"Now I'm more positive, maybe that's the key," said the world No. 79.

His career will be greatly difficult, since he will face in the next round the Russian Daniil Medvedev (5th), one of the best players on the circuit currently.

He could possibly take inspiration from his compatriot Adrian Mannarino (62nd), who got rid of a big piece by beating Poland's Hubert Hurkacz (9th), winner of the event in 2021, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/0).

He will face in the eighth the American Christopher Eubanks (119th), from the qualifiers, falling 6-3, 7-6 (9/7) of the third Frenchman in contention, Grégoire Barrère (65th).

France's Quentin Halys during his match against American Mackenzie McDonald at the Masters-1000 in Miami, March 27, 2023 © Tim Nwachukwu / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Tsitsipas qualified

The 29-year-old right-hander had made a very strong impression in the previous round by sweeping Cameron Norrie (6th) 3-6, 2-12. At the end of a match interrupted by rain, he finally gave in to the tie-break.

Stefanos Tsitsipas, among the favorites, and Karen Khachanov, qualified. The Greek (3rd) struggled, beating Chilean Cristian Garin (82nd) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

Well started in this match, Tsitsipas experienced a drop in speed in the second set, ideally exploited by Garin, then more conquering, not hesitating to advance in the field to conclude the points at the net.

But after losing the set, the Australian Open finalist was solid to finally win. He will face Russia's Khachanov (16th), who swept Czech Jiri Lehecka 6-2, 6-4.

The road of Felix Auger-Aliassime stopped at a stage unworthy of his rank (6th), against the Argentine Francisco Cerundolo, yet 31st player in the world (6-2, 7-5).

Winner of four titles last year (Basel, Antwerp, Florence and Rotterdam), the 22-year-old Montrealer has still not played a single final this season.

On the women's side, Elena Rybakina (7th) scored an 11th straight victory by defeating Belgium's Elise Mertens (39th), 6-4, 6-3.

Andreescu still injured

The Kazakh, favorite of the WTA 1000 tournament with Aryna Sabalenka (2nd) after the forfeit of the world N.1 Iga Swiatek, will be opposed in the quarters to the Italian Martina Trevisan, victorious (6-3, 6-3) of the Latvian Jelena Ostapenko.

"Physically, I'm not very fresh, but I'm happy, I manage my matches," said Rybakina, who is trying to achieve the "Sunshine Double" after his coronation in Indian Wells.

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka also got rid of Czech Barbora Krejcikova, winner of Roland Garros in 6, in straight sets (3-6, 2-2021).

In the quarters, she will face Sorana Cirstea, victorious (7-6 (7/3), 6-4) over another Czech, Marketa Vondrousova. At 32, the Romanian is experiencing a second youth after changing coach and will play her second consecutive quarter after Indian Wells.

"I know it will be very tough (against Sabalenka) but I win a lot of games in this American series and I have confidence," Cirstea said.

American Jessica Pegula (3rd) beat Poland's Magda Linette (19th) 6-1, 7-5 to reach the quarters where she will face Russia's Anastasia Potapova (26th).

Canada's Bianca Andreescu, a finalist in 2021, lost to Ekaterina Alexandrova. The 2019 US Open winner injured her left ankle. After receiving first aid on the court, she was evacuated in a wheelchair, crying.

The 22-year-old Andreescu had a clean season in 2020 due to injuries and the Covid-19 pandemic. This year, she only made her return to competition in April after a six-month break.

© 2023 AFP