Taylor Fritz fell to Carlos Alcaraz in the Miami Open quarter-final. The Spaniard scored a 6-4, 6-2 victory in 78 minutes, leaving the top-ranked American behind and sailing into the semi-final. It was their first duel, and Carlos made a better start in both sets to control them and emerge at the top in style.
Taylor felt frustrated after getting broken in the early stages of both sets, knowing he could not afford that against the world’s leading player. Alcaraz dropped 15 points in nine service games and defended both break points to keep the pressure on the other side.
Fritz failed to match the rival’s variety and remain in contention. He struggled on the second serve big time and gave serve away three times to end his run in the quarter-final. Carlos played better in the shortest range up to four strokes, hitting more service winners and delivering more efficient tennis with the first groundstroke.
Both players had 20 winners, and the Spaniard tames his strokes more efficiently. Carlos sprayed 13 unforced errors and took advantage of the rival’s 28, another element that plagued Taylor’s chances. World no. 1 forced the opponent’s mistake in the encounter’s first game and created two break points.
He cracked a backhand down the line return winner to secure an early break and…
