Old pro Dimitrov sends Alcaraz packing in Miami

Grigor Dimitrov laid on a 6-2, 6-4 beatdown to manhandle Carlos Alcaraz out in the quarter-finals of the Miami Masters, with the veteran Bulgarian winning his second match in a row over the Spanish youngster.

The 32-year-old Bulgarian gave away a dozen years to Alcaraz, but pounded the top seed with 24 winners to reach the semi-finals in Florida; that victory followed a win last October in Shanghai.

Victory ended a nine-match win streak for Alcaraz, who came to Miami after winning the Indian Wells title this month.

“I came into the match very focussed and I think [it was] extremely clear what I had to do,” Dimitrov said.

“I was really able to dictate the game, read the game a little bit better than last time.

“(It was) a very great match on my end and I’m just happy I finished in straight sets.”

Dimitrov is primed for a move into the ranking Top 10 if he reaches the final with a defeat of Alexander Zverev in the semis.

The Bulgarian led Alcaraz a set and 4-1 before wrapping up their showdown in 92 minutes.

“I was just using every opportunity I had. I think every second serve I had, I was attacking it,” the winner aid.

“I was putting him in a very difficult position. I had to keep on being aggressive, come to the net, move the ball around and not let him hit.”

Dimitrov now stands 19-4 on the season as he enters his fourth semi-final of 2024.

Main photo:- Grigor Dimitrov celebrates beating Carlos Alcaraz – by ATPTour.com