Daniil Medvedev cements Race to Turin lead with Miami Open win
Daniil Medvedev has completed the first quarter of the 2023 season in the lead of the ATP’s Race To Turin after he claimed the Miami Open title on Sunday.
Medvedev downed Jannik Sinner 7-5, 6-3 to ensure another hard court title for the Russian.
Her extended his hold over the Italian at this level to 6-0 as he became the first player to win four titles this season.
Medvedev once again proved his defensive chops as he overcame one of the tour’s great power players in Sinner.
He had hinted ahead of the clash that he wouldn’t be out to match fire with fire in this one.
“I cannot hit a 110 mph forehand. That’s an advantage, and Sinner is capable of doing this,” Medvedev said.
“Jannik is progressing really, really fast, especially this year. In terms of baseline game, Jannik can hit the ball very strong. I think that’s where [he and Alcaraz] have this kind of ping-pong tennis. That’s where he can bring him trouble.”
Playing in his fifth final in as many tournaments, Medvedev was in sublime form once again to claim his first title at the Miami Open and notch another great success on US hard courts.
After losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the championship match at Indian Wells two weeks earlier, the fourth seed was on song against Sinner, frustrating the Italian with his measured baseline game.
Both Medvedev and Sinner were willing to innovate and the crowd were brought into the contest early as the two men traded blows.
Ultimately Medvedev inched ahead, but that was enough for him to direct the flow of the contest after a four-game burst that saw him snatch the first set from 5-5 and take charge of the second by going a break up.
“I’m really happy. Today was a tough match. It was probably the hottest day and the most humid during the day,” Medvedev said.
“It was not easy conditions. I don’t know if Jannik had a small injury or cramp. I was also struggling, tried not to show it.
“I haven’t won’t such a big title in probably a year and a half,” he added.
“At the end I was quite shaky. Not even tight, because I’m not scared to win. But still the hands get a little shaky so the serve is a little bit tougher… I managed to get myself together and close the match.”
Medvedev now sports a 600-point lead at the top of the Race to Turin standings with Novak Djokovic the man in second.
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