Sinner Reflects on Stellar QF Performance at Hard Rock: ‘Miami Has Treated Me Well’
The Italian sensation faces fan-favourite Tiafoe this Thursday at the ATP Masters 1000.
March 25, 2026
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Jannik Sinner showcasing his talent during his fourth-round victory over Alex Michelsen on Tuesday in Miami.
By ATP Staff
Jannik Sinner has a knack for making deep runs at the Miami Open presented by Itau.
After making his debut in 2021 with a finals appearance, the 24-year-old has compiled an impressive 22-3 record at this ATP Masters 1000 event in Florida, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. On Tuesday, Sinner triumphed over Alex Michelsen with a score of 7-5, 7-6(4), securing his spot in the quarter-finals and becoming the third player ever to reach the last eight in all five of his Miami entries, joining legends Yannick Noah and Stefan Edberg.
“It’s hard to pinpoint,” said the 2024 champion during his post-match interview when asked about his Miami success. “In previous years, my matches often took place on the outer courts. It’s quite different out there with the wind and breeze. Playing in the stadium feels easier, as it mitigates those elements.”
“The ball tends to bounce lower here, which usually benefits my game. This year has been a bit tricky for some reason. I’m also focusing on enjoying my time off the court. Miami has definitely been kind to me over the years.”
Sinner’s composure, particularly as Michelsen served for the second set at 5-3 in Hard Rock Stadium, illustrates the Italian’s character. His ability to elevate his game during critical moments helped him secure the tie-break and complete a straight-sets victory, extending his remarkable streak of consecutive sets won at the Masters 1000 level to 28. Since last July’s Wimbledon title run, he has clinched 15 of his last 16 tie-breaks in tour-level matches.
“I thrive in tie-breaks or tight situations,” Sinner stated, reflecting on his exceptional performance under pressure. “I aim to elevate my game during pivotal moments, and that certainly aided me today… I’m delighted to have won.”
“I focused on my returns at 3-5. Serving out a set brings its own pressure, and I know that feeling well. If one misses key points, the match can shift dramatically. Starting over in the next set means you need to bring your best again. Thankfully, this match was physically satisfying, wrapping up in just two sets.”
Ranked No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Sinner is set to face another home favourite, Frances Tiafoe, on Thursday as he aims for his fourth semi-final appearance in Miami. He leads their Lexus ATP Head2Head series with a 4-1 advantage.
