Men’s quarterfinal preview

By Harvey Fialkov / Staff writer

Why Landaluce? He’s the fifth qualifier ever to reach the Miami quarterfinals and lowest ranked to do so since No. 185 Jim Grabb in 1994. He has been practicing with his mentor and idol Rafael Nadal at Nadal’s academy since he was 14. The Spaniard was the world No.1 ranked junior and won the US Open boys title in 2022.

Why Lehecka? This is his third Masters 1000 quarterfinal and he is the fifth Czechian man to reach the quarters in Indian Wells (2024) and now Miami in his career. He played a high-level match in beating No. 7 Taylor Fritz, slamming 10 aces, while saving all five breakpoints. He converted all 12 points at net and did not record a double fault.

Head-to-Head: No Meetings

Why Fils? The powerful Frenchman reached the quarters here last year until a sore back hindered his play in a loss to eventual champion Jakub Mensik. He’s healthy again and it showed in reaching the quarters at Indian Wells and finals at Doha. In his three matches here in Miami, Fils has faced five break points and has not lost his serve, while winning points on an average of 84 percent of his first serves.

Why Paul? Paul loves sleeping in his own bed in Boca Raton, and it showed as he made the finals of Delray Beach last month. He is into his first Miami quarterfinal. Paul can match Fils with his court coverage and defensive skills but must figure out a way to break the Frenchman’s serve.

Head-to-head: Paul 1-0 (Rd of 32 2023 Shanghai, 3-setter)

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About the Miami Open presented by Itaú

The 2026 Miami Open presented by Itaú will be played March 15 – March 29 at Hard Rock Stadium. The 15-day event is owned and operated by MARI and Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Open is one of nine ATP Masters 1000 Series events on the ATP calendar, a WTA 1000 event on the WTA calendar, and annually hosts the world’s best players, with recent champions including the top players in each tour’s rankings – Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. In 2025, the tournament attracted more than 400,000 spectators over its 15 days at Hard Rock Stadium. Widely regarded as the most glamorous stop on the ATP and WTA calendars, the Miami Open is defined by the city’s vibrant culture, nightlife, five-star dining and hospitality, iconic beaches, and celebrity appeal, along with its close proximity to Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.

About Itaú Unibanco

The largest bank in Latin America, Itaú Unibanco operates in 18 countries and serves more than 70 million customers, including individuals and companies across a wide range of segments. With the purpose of strengthening financial well-being, the bank supports customers at different stages of life by offering solutions tailored to their needs, as well as innovation and information that encourage more conscious decision-making and a healthier relationship with money.

In sports, Itaú has maintained a consistent presence in tennis for 50 years, supporting the development of the sport in Brazil and worldwide across multiple fronts — from talent development to the sponsorship of major international events — as part of its strategy to strengthen customer relationships, build brand relevance, and broaden access to sport.

About MARI 

MARI is a global events and experiences company with a portfolio of some of the world’s most influential live properties across sport, art, lifestyle, and entertainment. From international tennis tournaments such as the Mutua Madrid Open and the Miami Open presented by Itaú to Frieze, a leading voice in contemporary art, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, TodayTix Group’s leadership in digital ticketing, and Barrett-Jackson’s leading collector car auctions, MARI’s portfolio reflects a shared ambition: to deliver live experiences that bring people together, inspire audiences and shape culture worldwide.

About Hard Rock Stadium

Hard Rock Stadium is a global entertainment destination and curator of world-class events. The best-in-class venue is home to the Miami Dolphins, University of Miami Hurricanes football team, the Capital One Orange Bowl, Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, Miami Open presented by Itaú, major concerts, the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship Game and FIFA World Cup 2026™. Due to its overall sustainability efforts, the multifunctional venue holds Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification and FIA Three-Star Environmental Accreditation rating. For more information, visit hardrockstadium.com.