Miami QF preview: Can #NextGenATP Martin Landaluce extend dream run v Jiri Lehecka? | ATP Tour

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Miami QF preview: Can #NextGenATP Landaluce lengthen dream run v Lehecka?

ATPTour.com previews the primary two quarter-finals on the ATP Masters 1000 occasion

March 25, 2026

Martin Landaluce and Jiri Lehecka will meet for the first time on Wednesday in Miami.

ATP Tour

Martin Landaluce and Jiri Lehecka will meet for the primary time on Wednesday in Miami.
By ATP Employees

Tommy Paul and Arthur Fils will take to the court docket on Wednesday night for his or her quarter-final conflict on the Miami Open presented by Itau, every pursuing a unique milestone.

For Paul, it’s his first look at this stage of the South Florida ATP Masters 1000 occasion, whereas Fils returns to the final eight for a second straight yr, changing into the primary Frenchman to take action since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2010.

Each gamers have underlined their high quality this week after battling accidents late final season. Their conflict is scheduled for not earlier than 8:30 p.m. EDT.

Earlier within the day, #NextGenATP star Martin Landaluce meets twenty first seed Jiri Lehecka within the first of Wednesday’s two males’s quarter-finals. At No. 151 within the PIF ATP Rankings, the 20-year-old Spaniard is the lowest-ranked Miami quarter-finalist since 1994.

[Q] Landaluce vs. [21] Lehecka (not earlier than 3:00 p.m. EDT)
Landaluce saved a match level in opposition to Sebastian Korda to increase his dream run into a primary Masters 1000 quarter-final. Previous to Miami, the Spaniard had simply two tour-level wins, in response to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, however has doubled that tally with a run that has included victories over Prime 20 opponents Luciano Darderi and Karen Khachanov.

The problem solely intensifies in opposition to Lehecka, who’s contemporary from upsetting World No. 7 Taylor Fritz to achieve his third Masters 1000 quarter-final. The Czech may rise to his joint career-high No. 16 within the PIF ATP Reside Rankings if he advances.

Landaluce, a product of the Rafa Nadal Academy, claimed the US Open boys’ title at 16 in 2022 and made his Subsequent Gen ATP Finals debut final yr. Arriving in Miami and not using a tour-level win in 2026, he has showcased his trademark resilience with six straight victories, together with qualifying, to gasoline his breakthrough week.

Now up 48 spots to No. 103 within the PIF ATP Reside Rankings, Landaluce may climb as excessive as No. 69 with a semi-final win. With each gamers trying to dictate play with aggressive kinds, all indicators level to a high-octane conflict at Arduous Rock Stadium.

You Might Additionally Like: Landaluce saves 1 MP to stun Korda, dedicates Miami R4 win to late grandmother

[22] Paul vs. [28] Fils (not earlier than 8:30 p.m. EDT)
If their solely earlier Lexus ATP Head2Head assembly — a three-set win for Paul in Shanghai in 2023 — is any indication, followers can count on a compelling contest between one of many Tour’s greatest hitters and a participant who has thrived in stress moments this week.

Paul, who ended his 2025 season early as a consequence of damage after the US Open, has already reached the Delray Seaside remaining this yr and battled via two three-set matches en path to his maiden Miami quarter-final. The previous World No. 8 will want his trademark velocity and defensive expertise in opposition to Fils’ explosive energy.

Fils additionally endured an prolonged layoff, lacking eight months with a again damage earlier than surging to the ATP 500 remaining in Doha in February in simply his third occasion again. The 21-year-old has carried that depth via the Sunshine Double, defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime in Indian Wells and producing an announcement win over Stefanos Tsitsipas in Miami, the place he dropped only one sport.

Nonetheless looking for his first Masters 1000 semi-final (0-4 in QFs), Fils will look to peak in opposition to the 28-year-old Paul, who has reached 4 semi-finals at this stage.

Learn Extra from Miami:

Landaluce saves MP to stun Korda, dedicates win to late grandmother
Lehecka foils home hope Fritz with third-set Miami masterclass
No cookies & a travelling physio: The changes that carried Fils from setback to surge

When are the Miami tennis quarter-finals?

The primary two quarter-finals of the Miami Open presented by Itau will happen on Wednesday 25 March. Martin Landaluce will face Jiri Lehecka not earlier than 3:00 p.m. EDT, whereas Tommy Paul performs Arthur Fils not earlier than 8:30 p.m. EDT.