(Tennis news) Carlos Alcaraz progressed into the quarter-finals of the Miami Open after defeating Dusan Lajovic 6-0 7-6 (7-5) and will now face Tommy Paul. The Spaniard has won 16 out of 17 matches this season and hasn’t dropped a set in the last two tournaments but needs to defend his title successfully in order to retain his number 1 ranking. Earlier, Lajovic had defeated Andy Murray in the first round but couldn’t hit his stride while Alcaraz fired 26 winners and put on a near flawless performance.

In other results Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp eliminated Casper Ruud 3-6 6-4 6-4 while the likes of Andrey Rublev, Holger Rune and Taylor Fritz secured straightforward victories. Rublev defeated Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic 6-1 6-2 while Rune overcame 6-4 6-2 against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina and will now face Fritz after he won against Canadian Denis Shapovalov 6-4 6-4. Daniil Medvedev also progressed into the next round after opponent Alex Molcan withdrew from the tournament.

In the women’s category Swiss ninth seed Belinda Bencic was beaten 7-6 (10-8) 6-3 by 18th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova who will now face Bianca Andreescu in the fourth round after the Canadian won against Sofia Kenin 6-4 6-4. Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka defeated Czech opponent Marie Bouzkova 6-1 6-2 and will now face 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova, who beat Madison Keys 7-6 (7-4) 6-3. 17th seed Czech player Karolina Pliskova lost 6-1 6-2 to compatriot Marketa Vondrousova.

Also read: Carlos Alcaraz begins Miami Open title defence with win over Facundo Bagnis