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1. Dimitrov, huge game with Alcaraz, in Miami
Defeated by Dimitrov in Shanghai in the fall, Alcaraz was looking to get revenge against the Bulgarian, and when Carlitos has “revenge” plans, the opponents should be afraid. Marozsan and Zverev felt this on their own skin at Indian Wells, a tournament won authoritatively by the Iberian.
It’s just that the 20-year-old will no longer be able to do the Indian Wells – Miami double, Dimitrov succeeding in a huge game in the quarters in Florida. The player from the south of the Danube performed exceptionally and did not give any chance to the most fit player in the circuit. Alcaraz was coming after 10 wins in a row, but Dimitrov gave him a decisive 6-2, 6-4, the Bulgarian having an answer for everything, even when Carlitos raised his level.
Dimitrov’s game was so good that it was also reflected in the numbers: 23 direct winning shots and only 5 unforced ones. The Bulgarian won 77% of the points won with the first serve, absolutely impressive for a duel in which Alcaraz is in front of you.
With victories over Hurkacz and Alcaraz, in the eighths and quarters, Dimitrov ticked off the first consecutive successes against two ATP top 10 players since the Champions Tournament in 2017. Then, Grigor won the competition.
For the first time in the semi-final in Miami, Dimitrov ticked off the 40th victory of his career against an ATP top 10 player and, if he reaches the final, he will return to the top 10 in the world for the first time since October 2018.
In the semifinals, the athlete from the Balkans will meet Alexander Zverev, who didn’t give any chance to Fabian Marozsan, whom he passed 6-3, 7-5. The German and the Bulgarian have met 8 times so far, with Sascha winning 7 times (4 times last year, when they met both at Roland Garros and the US Open).
2. Danielle Collins, in the finals in Miami
In her retirement year, Danielle Collins, former Australian Open finalist, returns to her best level and this translates into qualifying for the final in Miami. The athlete from the USA did not give any chance to Ekaterina Alexandrova, whom she eliminated with a categorical 6-3, 6-2.
The 30-year-old athlete from overseas is in a good form, not losing more than 3 games in the disputes played with Potapova, Avanesyan, Cirstea, Caroline Garcia and Alexandrova. Even though the Russian was coming off two huge games, having previously defeated Swiatek and Pegula, she had no answer to the exceptional play of Collins, who looked fabulous.
The American (53 WTA) became the second lowest ranked player in history to reach the final in Miami. Only Naomi Osaka (77th WTA in 2022) was lower in the rankings at the time of qualifying in the final act at the tournament in Florida.
Collins qualified for her first career WTA 1000 final, having now played one final act at each WTA tournament category.
In the final, Collins will face Elena Rybakina, who dramatically got past Azarenka, 6-4, 0-6, 7-6. A finalist last year in Miami, the former Wimbledon champion met Collins 4 times, winning the last 3 disputes (each time in the decider).
3. Larry Lloyd passed away
Former English footballer Larry Lloyd, double winner of the European Champions Cup with Nottingham Forest, has died at the age of 75, the BBC announced on Thursday.
Larry Lloyd, a defender with four caps for England, was a starter between 1977 and 1981 at Nottingham Forest under legendary coach Brian Clough. During that time, the Nottingham team won the English Championship in 1978 and the European Champions Cup in 1979 and 1980.
Between 1969 and 1974, Lloyd played for Liverpool, with whom he won the English championship and the UEFA Cup in 1973. The other teams he played for are Bristol Rovers, Coventry City and Wigan Athletic.
Tags: Morning news Dimitrov played game life destroyed Alcaraz Miami
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