Is Sinner's Miami Victory Already Certain? Zhang Shuai Eyes Women's Doubles Final Tomorrow Morning!

On March 28 Beijing time, the ATP/WTA1000 Miami event reaches its third-to-last day of play, with men's singles semifinals, women's doubles semifinals, and men's doubles semifinals scheduled. Fils and Lehecka vie for the men's singles upper-half final berth; Sinner and Zverev face off once more following Indian Wells. Zhang Shuai, teamed with Mertens, strives for a spot in the women's doubles final.

Men's Singles Semifinal: Sinner vs Zverev

⏰Beijing Time 28th, 7:00

The men's singles lower-half semifinal will be between second seed Sinner and third seed Zverev. Sinner defeated Zverev 6-2/6-4 in straight sets in the Indian Wells semifinal and currently holds a 15-match winning streak in Masters events, having reached the Miami semifinals without dropping a set. The Italian, in peak form, is undoubtedly the favored side.

Even world No.4 Zverev admitted post-match that he needs a "near-perfect" performance to beat Sinner, yet the German clearly identified areas for improvement: "My serving at Indian Wells was very disappointing; it was terrible. That will be the most crucial part of the match." This will be their 12th encounter, with Sinner leading 7-4 and having won the last six matches against the German.

Can Zverev halt Sinner's march? Currently, prospects seem slim. His last hard-court victory over Sinner dates back to the 2023 US Open. In their recent Indian Wells match, Zverev's second-serve win rate was only 28%, meaning once rallies developed, Sinner could dominate with stronger baseline shots. Thus, the German must deliver a powerful serving performance to find winning opportunities.

Asked about this semifinal, Sinner stated: "We are working to devise the best tactics, aiming to be at our best tomorrow, then see how the match unfolds." Miami's faster court conditions undoubtedly favor Sinner. The Italian, with a 19-3 record from five appearances here, seeks to achieve the remarkable "Sunshine Double" this year.

Men's Singles Semifinal: Fils vs Lehecka

⏰Beijing Time 28th, 3:00

With Djokovic's pre-tournament withdrawal and Alcaraz's early exit, the upper half did not produce the anticipated heavyweight clash, yet this unexpected seed matchup still offers many highlights.

Both Fils and Lehecka possess top-20 caliber and have overcome significant injuries to return. Fils missed several events last year due to a back injury. Now, just over a month into his full comeback, the French youngster has delivered impressive results: reaching the Doha final, making the Indian Wells quarterfinals, and advancing to the Miami semifinals, with a 13-4 record since returning. He has repeatedly stated that post-injury, he has become a stronger player.

Lehecka previously reached his first Masters semifinal at the 2024 Madrid Masters after defeating "King of Clay" Nadal, but withdrew during the semifinal due to a back injury, sidelining him for three months. "I believe I am a different player now," Lehecka said regarding Madrid two years ago. "That was my first major breakthrough at a big event; the match against Nadal was an unforgettable experience. I've proven I have top-20 level; I need more effort to approach top-10, which is my goal."

They have met three times, all on hard courts, with Fils winning two, including their recent Doha encounter. Technically, Lehecka boasts precise and clean forehand/backhand strokes and serving, while Fils brings greater power and explosiveness. The Frenchman's quarterfinal performance, saving four consecutive match points, fully demonstrated his tenacity. Whoever wins this duel, men's tennis will welcome a new Masters finalist.

Women's Doubles Semifinal: Zhang Shuai/Mertens vs Paolini/Errani

⏰Beijing Time 28th, 8:30

After winning this year's Australian Open, the "Zhang-Mertens" duo again showcased seamless coordination in Miami. In the quarterfinals, they saved four consecutive match points to defeat the strong pair Pegula/Hunter, displaying resilience and hot form. Zhang Shuai called her line-hitting shot on the first match point "the best of my career."

Zhang Shuai/Mertens face top seeds Paolini/Errani in the semifinal, their first meeting. Both are top-tier women's doubles pairs, with victory likely hinging on in-match performance. A win would mark Zhang Shuai/Mertens' first 1000-level final as a partnership. The other women's doubles semifinal features second seeds Siniakova/Townsend versus third seeds Dabrowski/Stefani.

Notably, Zhang Shuai previously reached the Miami women's doubles final in 2019 with Stosur, losing in the final to Mertens/Sabalenka to finish as runner-up.

Full Schedule for Tomorrow

（Text, Editor/Wang Fei）