Top Seeds Upset at Miami Open as Quarterfinals Heat Up

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Open saw its top seed exit the tournament in a shocking fourth-round upset on Wednesday, as No. 17 seed Arthur Fils of France defeated the favored player 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a match that was delayed due to rain.

Fils’ victory comes after an arduous three-set match against an American opponent. He will next face Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals, following a match that pushed late into the night. The men’s quarterfinal featuring fifth-seed Andrey Rublev was postponed until Thursday, in accordance with ATP rules designed to prevent matches from dragging into the early morning hours.

Meanwhile, Grigor Dimitrov faced considerable challenges in his match against 14th-seeded Cameron Norrie, battling through oppressive humidity conditions to secure a win. The match concluded with a tense score of 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3), taking nearly three hours.

Dimitrov, who was a finalist at the Miami Open in 2024, showed signs of distress during the match and required attention from tournament medical staff after sitting in his chair for over 25 minutes. He reported feeling dizzy, having saved one match point before forcing a tiebreaker where he ultimately fell short.

Fils, who is gaining momentum in this tournament after reaching the quarterfinals at Indian Wells, showcased resilience during his match. After struggling with back pain, he adjusted his game to apply more aggression against Zverev, breaking serve in the critical moments to secure the win. “I was feeling not great in the rallies,” Fils said post-match. “I’ve had a little problem in my back since I was young, so sometimes it hurts me a little bit.”

In the women’s draw, Jessica Pegula, seeded fourth, stopped the run of Britain’s unseeded Emma Raducanu by winning 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2. Pegula’s win in 2 hours and 25 minutes marked her third semifinal appearance at the Miami Open in four years.

Pegula is now the last American player remaining, and she will face Alex Eala, a teenage wildcard from the Philippines, in the semifinals on Thursday. The match had been delayed until late in the evening after Pegula and Raducanu battled through harsh humidity that reached 70%.

Despite showing her power in the second set, Raducanu struggled with the heat and required medical assistance during the match. Medical staff monitored her condition as she fought through visible discomfort, yet managed to win the tiebreak 7-3 before succumbing to Pegula’s return to form in the third set.

Pegula capitalized on a break point early in the final set, ultimately securing her victory by breaking Raducanu at love. The contrasting performances of the players illustrated the intense pressure and challenges of competing in extreme weather conditions.

As the Miami Open progresses, fans can expect continued excitement and suspense as both the men’s and women’s semifinal matchups approach.