Sinner Surges Toward ‘Sunshine Double’ with Commanding QF Victory in Miami
World No. 2 triumphs over local favorite Tiafoe, securing a spot in the semi-finals
March 26, 2026
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Jannik Sinner takes on Frances Tiafoe in Miami on Thursday.
By Andy West
Jannik Sinner showcased his remarkable talent with another stellar performance at the Miami Open presented by Itau on Thursday.
The No. 2 player in the PIF ATP Rankings dominated American Frances Tiafoe, winning 6-2, 6-2, and advancing to the semi-finals of the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 event in Florida. Sinner set the tone early by breaking Tiafoe’s serve in the first game at Hard Rock Stadium and maintained his momentum throughout the match, finishing in an impressive 71 minutes.
Even by Sinner’s standards, this display was extraordinary! 🧙♂️@MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen | @janniksin pic.twitter.com/e896ZyQXuu
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 26, 2026
“Starting strong is crucial for me,” reflected Sinner. “Getting a break early builds confidence. I aim to remain compact and composed, as emotions can swing during a match. Today, that focus helped me a lot.”
During his decisive victory, Sinner lost just nine points on serve, concluding with an outstanding Performance Rating of 9.65, far exceeding the ATP Tour average of 7.29, according to TDI Insights. His electrifying display even hushed the usually boisterous Miami crowd.
Now, Sinner stands just two wins away from joining the elite list of players who have achieved the ‘Sunshine Double’, a feat last accomplished by Roger Federer in 2017. He’s set to face either third seed Alexander Zverev or 18th seed Francisco Cerundolo in the next round, having now reached the semi-finals in four of his five Miami appearances.
“It’s natural to crave more success,” Sinner stated after claiming his 10th consecutive victory. “Staying mentally calm and relaxed off the court is essential, especially after weeks of intense practice and play. I’m excited to keep the momentum going, knowing this is my last tournament on hard courts before transitioning to clay.”
Most Miami Men’s Semi-Final Appearances
In his highly anticipated rematch against Tiafoe, marking their first encounter since the 2024 Cincinnati Open final, Sinner imposed his style from the get-go, dazzling the audience with perfectly executed shots.
Although the crowd rallied behind him, Tiafoe showed resilience, fending off early threats in the second set’s first game. Despite Sinner’s formidable pressure, Tiafoe managed to hold serve, momentarily stabilizing his position.
However, Sinner soon regained his dominance. The Italian unleashed powerful baseline strokes and seized his third break point during Tiafoe’s subsequent service game. This pivotal break led to Sinner losing only one more game as he swiftly claimed victory.
