Roberto Bautista Agut Knocks Out Top Seed Daniil Medvedev to Reach Maiden Miami Open Semifinals

Russian World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev is presently doing his level best on the ATP Tour. Accordingly, to book a semi-final seat at Miami Open 2021, he took on Spanish World No. 12 Roberto Bautista Agut. In the end, Bautista Agut staged a major upset, defeating Medvedev in straight sets, 4-6, 2-6.

Notably, the 25-year-old Russian came into the match with a 14-2 win-loss record in 2021. He defeated Lu Yen-Hsun, Alexei Popyrin, and Frances Tiafoe to reach the quarterfinals. However, he knew his next opponent was going to be a big problem for him.

Without a doubt, 32-year-old Bautista Agut is one of the finest talents on the men’s tour. Although he made it to the last eight with a walkover and two three-set matches, he was ready to take on the top seed. Not to mention, the Spaniard knocked the defending finalist and 2018 champion John Isner out of the competition.

Here’s what went down in the top seed and seventh seed clash at the Miami Open 2021 quaterfinals.

Daniil Medvedev vs Roberto Bautista Agut: Set 1

Daniil Medvedev started the proceedings with his trademark placements around the court. However, a slight indication of fatigue was present in the Russian’s game right from the first serve.

Correspondingly, Roberto Bautista Agut found an opportunity to leave behind his mark in Miami. He put his disciplined shotmaking on display and waited for the Russian to open the door.

At 3-3, the first sign of an opening came the Spaniard’s way as he earned a break point. But Medvedev somehow managed to put it away. However, the Russian knew that he lacked something against his new opponent.

Finally, Bautista Agut broke the reigning Australian Open finalist to take the lead 4-5. Following that, the Spaniard served to go one up in the match and did that without any argument. At the end of the first set, the score was 4-6.

Medvedev vs Bautista Agut: Set 2

Clearly, Medvedev was in no rhythm to challenge his opponent’s discipline. As a result, the Spaniard broke him again and was on the way to stage the biggest upset in Miami.

Nonetheless, the Russian tried hard to make the match competitive, but his returns were nowhere close to what he has shown in the last few months. Reasonably, the lack of fitness level proved to be a distinguishing factor between the two.

Conclusively, Roberto earned yet another break at 1-4, where Medvedev could not manage to keep the ball in play. Instead, the Russian let out his frustration and banged his racket onto the court.

Trailing at 1-5, the Russian showed positive signs of fighting on. Unfortunately, the ship had sailed too far by then. A loss here would mean his third consecutive loss against Bautista Agut.

Serving for the match at 2-5, the resilient Spanish professional closed the quarterfinal comfortably at 4-6, 2-6. Consequently, he also made it into his first Miami Open semifinals.

With Medvedev out of Miami, it is clear that a new Masters 1000 champion will rise up on 3rd April. So far, we have only one semifinal in place.

As per the draw, the Spaniard will next meet Italian teenager Jannik Sinner in the semifinals. Will Roberto claim his maiden Miami Open Masters title this year?

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