Daniil Medvedev cruises past fatigued Jannik Sinner to win maiden Miami Open title

Daniil Medvedev beat Jannik Sinner 7-5 6-3 to win a maiden Miami Open title.

Medvedev came into the match holding a perfect 5-0 head-to-head record against his Italian opponent, whom he beat in the final of Rotterdam in February.

Sinner was expected to offer a stern examination of Medvedev after he stunned world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz at the semi-final stage.

However, the final began at 13:00 local time and with little shade coverage over the court, Sinner appeared to struggle with the heat and looked fatigued for much of the first set.

And, having shared breaks with his Russian opponent, he called for the trainer at the changeover trailing 3-4.

The visit from the trainer did not have the desired effect and Sinner’s continued inability to shorten the points played into his opponent’s hands, who remained in the ascendancy, and took the first set point he crafted.

The Russian won the first two games of the second set to 15 to put himself a set and a break up, and in what looked like an unassailable position.

Sinner would break back, though. But that owed to some poor decision-making and errant shot-making from Medvedev rather than any Sinner excellence.

And it was of little surprise when the world No. 5 secured another break to re-establish his advantage. From there, the match went with serve, and the Russian sealed a first Miami Open title emphatically, holding to love.

“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.

“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.”

The win continues a stunning run of form for Medvedev. The Russian has won four of the last five tournaments he has entered – Miami, Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai – and reached the final at Indian Wells, where he lost to Alcaraz.

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