IT was a blockbuster day eight of the 2020 ATP Tour’s Miami Open fantasy tennis tournament with the remaining two quarter finals decided. The biggest upset of the day was Great Britain’s Andy Murray continuing his terrific return to the circuit with a big come-from-behind win over fourth seed, Daniil Medvedev. Murray joined top 10 seeds, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and David Goffin in the last eight with the quarter finals to be played tomorrow.

The much anticipated Murray-Medvedev match lived up to all expectations with the world number four taking it to the returning Brit in style. He won the first set 6-3 after two breaks to one and seemed to be in control when he broke a third time early in the second set. However Murray was not going to let this match slide and the Grand Slam winner broke back immediately, then broke a second time late in the set to take it out and level the match at a set apiece. Murray continued that form into the decider where he played some tennis reminiscent of his run to the top of the world rankings. In the end, he booked a spot in the quarter finals with a 3-6 6-3 6-2 victory.

Now Murray takes on sixth seed, Zverev who took out American John Isner in straight sets. The German up-and-comer looked at home on the hard court despite the crowd siding with his opponent. While Isner’s usual unbelievable serving came to play early, one poor game was all it took for Zverev to take advantage and claim the first set 6-4. It was more of his good work early in the second set to grab another break and while his own serving could be inconsistent at times, his shotmaking around the court was top notch earning him a place in the last eight with a 6-4 6-4 win.

It was no surprise to see world number one, Djokovic in the last eight, brushing aside young talent Andrey Rublev in an hour and 12 minutes without too much trouble. The Serbian looked as dangerous as ever and really tightened the screws as it went on, winning the last nine games of the match to run away a 6-3 6-0 winner. The Serb now faces ninth seed Goffin in the quarters after the Belgian downed giant-killer Brandon Nakashima. The American wildcard had knocked off three top 40 players on his way to the fourth round – including eighth seed Matteo Berrettini, and Nick Kyrgios – but Goffin stopped him in his tracks. It did not come without a fight though, as Goffin took an hour and 46 minutes to finally win 6-4 7-6 in a match that featured plenty of long rallies.

Tomorrow’s quarter finals begin with world number two Rafael Nadal taking on unseeded Brit Kyle Edmund, while Alex de Minaur locks horns with Canadian wildcard, Vasek Pospisil in the other day quarter final. In the night session, Djokovic faces Goffin and Zverev challenges Murray.

ROUND OF 16 RESULTS:

[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated [14] Andrey Rublev (RUS) 6-3 6-0
[WC] Andy Murray (GBR) defeated [4] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 3-6 6-3 6-2
[6] Alexander Zverev (GER) defeated [20] John Isner (USA) 6-4 6-4
[9] David Goffin (BEL) defeated [WC] Brandon Nakashima (USA) 6-4 7-6