Auger-Aliassime, Hurkacz crash out of Miami as Medvedev’s half of draw opens even wider
Felix Auger-Aliassime lost to Francisco Cerundolo at the Miami Masters on Monday, while Hubert Hurkacz was upset by Adrian Mannarino. The surprises continue on the second leg of the Sunshine Double.
Felix Auger-Aliassime, Miami 2023 | © AI / Reuters / Panoramic
Casper Ruud was already out. Cameron Norrie and Matteo Berrettini were gone, too. On Monday the bottom half of the Miami Open became even more wide open Felix Auger-Aliassime and Hubert Hurkacz crashed out.
Auger-Aliassime got knocked out by Francisco Cerundolo before Hurkacz fell to Adrian Mannarino.
The Indian Wells third-round schedule also saw Auger-Aliassime and Cerundolo go head-to-head and the Canadian won that contest 7-5, 6-4. Monday’s rematch, however, was a much different story. Cerundolo cruised 6-2, 7-5 to get revenge against the world No 6.
Twelve months after making a run to the Miami semi-finals, the Argentine is making another run at this Masters 1000 event — even in faster conditions.
I don’t know; it’s just good vibes here.
Fernando Cerundolo
“Last year was much slower than this year,” Cerundolo commented. “Everything… Two different tournaments. I don’t know; I like Miami. I feel really comfortable here playing. (I have) a lot of friends, a lot of Argentinian people that support me. It’s super nice to play here. I don’t know; it’s just good vibes.”
“I think my game is really good here. Hopefully I can play well or better tomorrow.”
Mannarino also needed just two sets to pull off his upset. The Frenchman had too much style and guile for Hurkacz in a 7-6(5), 7-6(0) victory that required two hours and 18 minutes. Mannarino won an amazing 16 of 24 second-serve return points during the match.
Path to final opens for Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev was left licking some wounds after getting crushed by Carlos Alcaraz in the Indian Wells final a little more than a week ago, but everything is working out well for him so far at the Miami Masters.
By the looks of things, another Alcaraz vs. Medvedev title match to complete the Sunshine Double looks possible if not even probable.
With Alcaraz still rolling even in what is a tough top half of the Miami draw, Medvedev is sitting pretty in a depleted bottom half. The No 4 seed had no trouble with Roberto Carballes Baena in round two and then got a walkover from Alex Molcan on Monday.
With Auger-Aliassime and Hurkacz joining Ruud and Norrie on the sidelines, things continue to fall into place for Medvedev. He will meet Quentin Halys in the last 16 and would then run into either Mannarino, Christopher Eubanks, or Gregoire Barrere.
Even Stefanos Tsitsipas, a possible semi-final foe for Medvedev, is struggling mightily with a shoulder injury. The surprises might be only beginning in Miami….
