Miami Open 2022: Daniil Medvedev makes short work of Andy Murray

Medvedev beat Murray 6-4, 6-2 in the fourth round of the season's second ATP Masters 1000 event and will face Spaniard Pedro Martinez next.

Daniil Medvedev in a file photo. (Image: Twitter/ATP)
By Nilavro Ghosh | Mar 27, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Before their match at the 2022 Miami Open, Andy Murray praised Daniil Medvedev. On Saturday, the top seed demonstrated why against the Brit. Medvedev beat Murray 6-4, 6-2 in the fourth round of the season’s second ATP Masters 1000 event. The 13-time tour-level champion will face Spaniard Pedro Martinez next.

Throughout the game, Medvedev was the more aggressive player, spending 24% of his time on offence compared to 18% for Murray. Medvedev got off to a good start in Miami, where he needs to reach the semi-finals to reclaim the top spot in the ATP Rankings from Novak Djokovic on April 4th. The 26-year-old reached World No. 1 on February 28 before losing it after the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells on Monday.

Read More – Miami Open 2022: Stefanos Tsitsipas sees off a spirited JJ Wolf

“I think it was a great match. It’s never easy, first-round matches, even if you practise on the same courts for one or two months, it’s never going to be the same as a competitive tournament match,” Medvedev said in his post-match interview. “So I’m happy that I managed to have zero break points against me. I feel like I have some room for improvement, but it was a great match against an amazing player and I’m happy that I managed to go through.”

Murray had support, Medvedev unflinching

Ivan Lendl, the former World No. 1, recently announced his return to Murray’s team, and the former World No. 1 was in Murray’s box at Hard Rock Stadium. Murray had the crowd on his side, who frequently applauded his impressive shots, particularly on big points. Medvedev, on the other hand, was far too consistent from the baseline and on serve for the wild card to overcome. In his one-hour, 30-minute victory, he did not face a break point.

“On the days when you serve good, your opponent doesn’t have this freedom to return, it helps you,” Medvedev said. “[In the] second set, the scoreline was easier, it was much tougher in the beginning, but when your opponent knows you’re probably going to get some aces and it’s not going to be easy for him to return, he gets pressure on his serve and many times that is what happens in close matches.”

Read More – Iga Swiatek news: Pole becomes world no. 1 after Miami Open victory against Golubic

Murray did not do anything wrong in the match, but he was unable to break the top seed out of his comfort zone by stepping onto the court frequently enough. In neutral rallies, Medvedev exuded confidence and never looked tense against the two-time Miami champion.





Related Post

HIGHLIGHTS

Buzzwords