World number three Jannik Sinner will face defending champion Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals of the Miami Open – a rematch of the Australian Open final won by Sinner and the title match in Miami last year last.
Sinner entered the final four in emphatic style on Wednesday, beating Czech Tomas Machac 6-4, 6-2 before Medvedev overcame a stern test against Chile’s Nicolas Jarry before emerging with a 6-2, 7- 6 (9/7). .
Italian Sinner, who came from two sets down to beat Medvedev and win his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, will play his fourth half of the season after taking on the lively Machac in 91 minutes .
Sinner broke the Czech’s serve in the first game, but Machac responded immediately to make it 1-1.
The crowd was on their feet to appreciate the brilliant defensive play of Sinner who finally took control of the set, breaking to lead 4-3 and then closing out.
The second set was simpler with Sinner breaking in the third game and never looking back.
Despite the comfortable margin of victory, Sinner said Machac deserved praise for his energetic and aggressive performance.
“He has incredible talent. He’s super fast, and physically he’s in great shape,” said the world number three.
“I didn’t know exactly what to expect today. In the first few games, I was kind of looking for what kind of tactics might work or not,” he added.
“I played well, especially in the important moments of the match, which means that… the scoreboard, you see the score, but sometimes it lies. Today was a bit like that,” Sinner said.
Good atmosphere
Medvedev fled in the first set against Jarry, who was slow to come out of the blocks.
But the second set was a different story with the Chilean, supported by a massively Latin American crowd, finding his big serve.
The two men were inseparable, with many entertaining exchanges, until the tiebreaker.
Medvedev missed a chance to win the match at 6-5 when he came to the net for a routine conversion on a match point, but found the net, provoking a huge roar from the Chilean fans.
A hard-hitting ace from Jarry made it 7-7, but it was followed by a poor effort that flew long, then on the third match point, Medvedev wrapped up the victory.
“In the first set I felt like I was playing at a good level, but nothing more and it was enough to win, so I was happy with that,” Medvedev said.
“Then he managed to play much better. It was tough rallies, tough points, he served better and yes, it was a matter of a few points in the tie-break as is sometimes the case in tennis,” he said.
The Russian seemed to enjoy the extra spice brought by the Chilean fans in the stadium.
“To be honest, I was prepared and expected worse, when I say worse (I mean) more enthusiastic fans supporting him.
“It was a really good atmosphere, you know, even a few times the referee was saying the players were ready, but I was like I don’t care, it’s actually not too bad, I “I’ve seen worse,” he said.
Medvedev said he was eager to return to battle with Sinner after his five-set loss in Melbourne.
“I won the first two sets – which would be enough in Miami,” he joked.
“But this match will definitely be different. I’m sure he will adapt again and I’ll talk to my team and see what I can do better.
“I’m going to go there, 100 percent ready to win and make life difficult for him,” the Russian said.
