Defending champion Hubert Hurkacz ended Danil Medvedev’s hopes of replacing Novak Djokovic as world number 1 with a 7-6 (9-7) 6-3 win in two hours and two minutes in the quarter final of the Miami Open.
Hurkacz has drawn level to 2-2 in his four head-to-head matches against Medvedev.
Hurkacz has extended his winning record to 10-0 in Miami, where he won his first Masters 1000 title last year beating Jannik Sinner in the final. This year he beat Arthur Rinderknech, Aslan Karatsev, Lloyd Harris and Danil Medvedev.
The Polish player will face either Carlos Alcaraz or Miomir Kecmanovic in the semifinal.
Hurkacz earned an early break after a double fault from Medvedev to take a 3-0 lead. The Polish player brought up a chance for a double break with a backhand volley, as Medvedev was serving at 1-4 down. Medvedev saved it with a crosscourt backhand and earned two break-back points in the next game with a backhand up the line. Hurkacz saved them with his big serve to open up a 5-2 lead.
Medvedev saved two set points to hold for 3-5. Hurkacz made a double fault and hit a forehand down the line wide to face three break points.
Medvedev broke back to force a tie-break, as Hurkacz was attempting to serve it out for the first set. Medvedev fended off two more set points in the tie-break, including a drop volley winner to draw level to 7-7. Hurkacz hit a pass for 8-7 to earn a fifth set point.
Hurkacz hit a forehand to seal the tie-break 9-7.
Medvedev saved an early break point at the start of the second set. Hurkackz earned his sixth break point in the fifth game with a backhand volley and broke with a deep return to take a 3-2 lead.
Medvedev called for the trainer for stomach cramps after Hurkacz held serve to consolidate for 4-2.
Medvedev hit a shot at 15-30, but Hurkacz won four consecutive points to open up a 5-3 lead. Hurkacz earned a match point with a volley and closed out the match with a forehand winner after 2 hours and 3 minutes.
“I think the return was crucial. I was able to make a lot of returns and get some free points on my serve, because having rallies with Danil is fun, but they get long. It is good I was able to get free points. I have spent a lot of time in Florida, so I am used to the humidity. I think the conditions were in favour today, so I tried to use them”, said Hurkacz.
