Djokovic into Miami quarters; Halep exits

Djokovic needed four match points before finally prevailing against the 22-year-old, whose thunderous forehands frequently had the Serb on the back foot. Thiem could not capitalise on his chances, however, and in the end Djokovic’s consistency proved the difference and he advanced after one hour and 50 minutes. 

Up next for Djokovic, who had nine double faults, his most in a three-set match since 2010, is a quarter-final against Tomas Berdych after the Czech beat Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-4 3-6 7-5 in a contest that stretched nearly two hours and 30 minutes in blistering heat. 

Japan’s Kei Nishikori beat Roberto Bautista 6-2 6-4 to set up a meeting with France’s Gael Monfils, who got past Grigor Dimitrov 6-7(5) 6-3 6-3. 

Earlier, another high seed fell as number five Simona Halep was sent packing by Timea Bacsinszky 4-6 6-3 6-2 in the quarter-finals. Romanian Halep appeared well-placed for victory when she took the first set. It was only the second set Bacsinszky had dropped during the tournament, and the 19th-seeded Swiss made sure it would be her last of the day as she prevailed in a match that stretched nearly two hours and 30 minutes. 

Bacsinszky will meet Russian Sevtlana Kuznetsova in the semi-finals after the 15th seed beat compatriot Ekaterina Makarova 6-7(3) 6-4 6-3.