World number three Jannik Sinner will face defending champion Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals of the 2024 Miami Open. The last four match is like a rematch of last year’s final.
The smell of avenging defeat will be strong because the two players also met this year in the final of the 2024 Australian Open, which was won by Sinner.
Sinner advanced to the last four in emphatic style on Thursday (28/3) by beating Czech Tomas Machac 6-4, 6-2. Meanwhile, Medvedev overcame a tough test against Chile’s Nicolas Jarry with a 6-2, 7-6 (9/7) win.
Sinner came from two sets down to beat Medvedev and claim his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, going into his fourth semifinal of the season after taking on the lively Machac in 91 minutes.
Sinner broke the Czech’s opening service game but Machac responded immediately to make it 1-1.
The crowd rose to their feet to appreciate brilliant defensive play from Sinner who eventually took control of the set, breaking for a 4-3 lead and then closing it out. The second set was easier with Sinner breaking in the third game and never looking back.
Also read: Sinner Buries Alcaraz’s Dreams
Despite having a comfortable margin of victory, Sinner said Machac deserved credit for his energetic and aggressive performance.
“I played well, especially in the important moments of the game, which makes…the scoreboard, you look at the score, but sometimes it’s a lie. Today was more or less like that,” Sinner said.
Medvedev came through in the first set against Jarry, who was slow. But the second set was a different story as the Chilean, supported by a large Latin American crowd, found his big serve.
Also read: Medvedev enters the 2023 Miami Open top party
The pair were inseparable, with many entertaining rallies, right up to the tiebreak. Medvedev squandered a chance to win the match at 6-5 when he scored a routine conversion on match point but managed to score, prompting cheers from the Chilean fans.
An ace from Jarry made it 7-7 but it was followed by a poor failed attempt and then on the third match point Medvedev sealed the win.
“In the first set I felt like I played at a good level, but there was nothing extra and that was enough to win, so I’m happy with that,” Medvedev said.
“Then he managed to play much better. It was difficult rallies, difficult points, he served better and yes, it was just a matter of a few points in the tiebreak as sometimes happens in tennis,” he added.
(AFP/Z-9)
#Jannik #Sinner #Meets #Medvedev #Miami #Open #Semifinals