Medvedev upset by Bautista Agut as Spaniard reaches Miami Open semis

Miami Open, quarter-final
Bautista Agut d. Medvedev 6-4, 6-2

• The headline: Bautista Agut upsets top seed Medvedev for the third time in a row 
• Other key info: Bautista Agut is the oldest player left in the draw and will meet the youngest player, Sinner, next
• Why you should read this story: Because you’ll read the name of a first-time ATP Masters 1000 winner to come

Top seed Daniil Medvedev‘s drought against Roberto Bautista Agut continued at the Miami Open as the Russian was defeated 6-4, 6-2 by the No. 7 seed in Wednesday’s quarter-finals.

The Spaniard will next meet 19-year-old Italian Jannik Sinner for a place in Sunday’s final. Medvedev’s loss guarantees a first-time ATP Masters 1000 winner on Sunday. One of Bautista Agut, Sinner, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Hubert Hurkacz, Andrey Rublev or Sebastian Korda will lift their first ATP Masters title this weekend.

Bautista Agut defeats Medvedev for the third time in a row

Medvedev had been beaten by Bautista Agut in both their previous encounters  – with the Russian losing the 2017 Maharashtra Open final in straight sets and last year’s Western & Southern Open quarter-final in three sets.

For the third time in as many matches, Bautista Agut was able to defeat Medvedev to reach the last four in Miami.

Bautista Agut – the oldest player remaining in the draw – broke for a 5-4 lead in the opening set and never looked back against the 2021 Australian Open runner-up.

Anger is an energy 😡

Daniil Medvedev feeling the heat in Miami. #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/4HCsNAL77U

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 1, 2021

Bautista Agut continued to dominate in the second set, breaking the Russian early on and then once again later to complete the straight-sets win in one hour and 32 minutes.

“I want to give Daniil Medvedev all the credit, I know he is one of the best players in the world,” Bautista Agut said during the on-court interview. “He’s been winning a lot of matches, he’s No 2 in the world, so I’m very happy and proud about how I played today. I think I showed a great level on the court.”

We’ll have a new Masters 1000 champion in Miami 💪@BautistaAgut powers past top-seeded Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-2 to book his spot in the semi-finals. #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/1rkIIJ5ibb

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 1, 2021

Bautista Agut to meet Sinner in the Miami Open semi-finals

Spanish veteran Bautista Agut will face 19-year-old Sinner in the semi-finals of the Miami Open.

Rising Italian sensation Sinner proved too good for Alexander Bublik in the day’s first quarter-final. Sinner won 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 to reach his first-ever ATP Masters 1000 semi-final.

Bautista Agut and Sinner have met once before on the tour, with the Italian winning their recent encounter in Dubai in three sets.

“It was a very tough match in Dubai, and it was a very tight score,” Bautista Agut said, as quoted by the ATP Tour. “He’s playing great, he’s very solid and he has very good strokes. I think I’ll have to play another good match like tonight.”

“Jannik is playing great… I have to say he will be one of the best players in the world. I want to enjoy another good match and be happy about playing in the semi-finals.”

In Thursday’s other quarter-finals, second seed Tsitsipas will take on 26th seed Hurkacz, and fourth seed Rublev will take on unseeded Korda.

Also Read: Sebastian Korda’s exclusive interview with Tennis Majors earlier this year on his decision to skip the Australian Open and instead compete in ATP Challengers.