Daniil Medvedev’s impressive start to 2023 is showing no signs of stopping after the Russian defeated an ailing Jannik Sinner in straight sets to win the Miami Masters.
The world No.5 surged to a 7-5, 6-3, win over Sinner who was physically struggling throughout the final and at one stage required medication. Medvedev did experience some periods of patchy play but managed to overcome them with the help of 27 winners and he converted four out of six break points.
Medvedev’s latest victory has strengthened his position at the top of the 2023 leaderboard. He is the only ATP player to have won 28 matches and claim four titles this season. Overall, he has contested five Tour finals before the start of the Monte Carlo Masters which is something that hasn’t been achieved on the Tour since Roger Federer did so in 2006.
“I’m really happy. Today was a tough match. It was probably the hottest and most humid day of the tournament. The conditions were not easy and I don’t know if Jannik had a small injury or cramp. It was tough conditions and I was also struggling. I tried not to show it,” Medvedev said afterwards.
“I hadn’t won such a big title in a year-and-a-half so my hands got a little bit shaky and the serve was a little bit tougher. I’m happy that I managed to get myself better and close the match.”
Coming into the final, Medvedev boasted a perfect 5-0 head-to-head record against Sinner with Miami being the first time the two have locked horns outdoors. Despite his dominant lead, he found himself involved in a roller-coaster opening set. Medvedev won his first two service games without dropping a point before stumbling in his third. A lull in his form enabled Sinner to break on his fifth opportunity with the help of a drop shot at the net to lead 3-2. Making it only the fourth time in the entire tournament Medvedev has dropped serve.
Despite the blip, Medvedev broke back immediately to draw level before it was Sinner’s turn to stumble. The Italian started to appear wary on the court which prompted him to call for a medical time out where he receive medication from a doctor. Resuming proceedings, Sinner continued to battle but it was not enough. Trailing 5-6, a forehand error (Sinner’s 26th unforced error of the match) crashed into the net to gift Medvedev the opening set.
In pole position, the former US Open champion broke two consecutive times in the second frame to close in on claiming his 19th Tour title. Serving for the title, he sealed victory on his second championship point by hitting a serve down the line which his rival returned into the net.
“I don’t want to focus on it too much otherwise I repeat myself but as you can see I can sometimes handle myself and be calm on the court when I feel that it is a real hardcourt,” Medvedev admitted afterwards. “So thanks a lot to whoever made such a court (at the Miami Open). I was really happy to play on it.”
As for runner-up Sinner, he has only won four out of 22 matches against top-five opposition so far in his career. Although earlier in the Miami Open he defeated Carlos Alcaraz to record his first win over a No.1 player. Reflecting on his latest performance, the 21-year-old admitted that he had been feeling unwell.
“Congratulations Daniil, not only for this tournament but for reaching the final of the last five and playing incredible tennis,” he said.
“I woke up this morning not at my best. I felt a little bit sick but thanks to everybody for your support it means a lot to me. You gave me a lot of energy but unfortunately today I couldn’t play at my best.”
On the ATP Tour Medvedev has won 16 consecutive matches against Italian players. Despite winning 19 ATP trophies he is yet to win the same event twice.
