Jannik Sinner will face Daniil Medvedev in Sunday's final match of Miami Open 2023. It is a great achievement for both the players, who showed an amazing run of form on their road to the final on Hard Rock Stadium. The Italian denied Carlos Alcaraz, who was looking to grab the Sunshine Double, eliminating the recent Indian Wells champion in a stunning three-sets battle which took more than 3 hours. It will be Sinner's second final appearance in Miami, after losing to Hubert Hurkacz two years ago. Medvedev will play the final clash in Miami for the first time, but it is his fifth consecutive final after Rotterdam, Doha, Dubai and Indian Wells. The first of this ended up with a victory against Sinner, who will look for the revenge on Sunday. You can review the recap of the Rotterdam's final between both-> HERE.
Alcaraz was a pre-match favourite, but Sinner could be obviously not written off. The Italian started better, gaining the break in 4th game. The world's number one made up the gap and took the lead in 11th game. Everything was leading into the expected scenario with the favorite taking opening set, as he was serving for the set and had a setpoint within a score *6-5 40-30. Sinner managed to defend it and forced the tie-break, but this time the Spaniard converted his chances, winning it 7-4.
Second set started similarly. This time Sinner broke in opening game, but Alcaraz leveled the score in 4th one. Sinner was under big pressure, being a set down and defending two breakpoints in 8th game. The possible break could be decisive there, but Sinner held and managed to break Alcaraz in another game, which tipped the scales in his favour. Sinner won this set and force the decider. Third set was another kick start from the Italian, who broke the deadlock in first game again. This time, no turnover happened, as Sinner was clinical and composed during his serving games. He defended the one and only breakpoint produced by Alcaraz in this set, holding the serve for 4-2 and extending the advantage by adding another and last break in 7th game. 6-7(4) 6-4 6-2 is the score.
"It means a lot. We both played a very, very high level of tennis again. I just tried my best. In the third set I saw him struggle a little bit for a couple of games so I tried to push there. We both tried to play very aggressive tennis and today it went my way so I am very happy. I am happy that I can face Daniil in a final again. The last one I lost obviously, but the conditions will be different and I will try my best, try to make some good changes like today against Carlos and let's see. I feel good on this court. I have very good memories and hopefully I can show some good tennis." - said Sinner in the post-match interview.
Carlos Alcaraz has not just lost the hopes for achieving the Sunshine Double, but also lost his ATP rankings leader spot, as he will not defend the points from last year. This moves Novak Djokovic back on top despite not playing a single match in United States this month. Here are the post-match toughts of the Spaniard: "I had my opportunities to break in the second set and serving for the match, but really against Sinner is always a tough battle. It is tough to put into words but I think it was a great match for both. I do not think about that I lost the lead in the rankings, I lost the Sunshine Double. Of course it is a shame, but I think I am gonna have more years to try to get it. I feel something different about the crowd when I play against Jannik. I think around the world is probably all the people watching this match because I think it is really beautiful to watch."
Daniil Medvedev has also needed three sets to advance into the final. The world's number 5 was a clear pre-match favorite against his fellowcountry Karen Khachanov. Daniil was the first one to gain a brea in 8th game, but Khachanov broke back in the following game when Medvedev was serving for the set and had even the setpoint, which he wasted. The favorite turned out to be better in the tie-break, clinching the opening set as expected. Second one has started from early break on Khachanov's favor. The world's number 16 faced one breakpoint in 5th game, but held his lead till the end, winning the set 6-3 and moving whole match into distance. The decisive set consisted of quite short games. Khachanov had a breakpoint in first game, but Medvedev held it, and it was the last chance produced by the lower ranked Russian in this match. He got broken by Medvedev in 4th game and the US Open 2021 champion has not give away his advantage till the end. Interestingly, the last 4 games of this match ended up without losing a point for the serving players. 7-6(5) 3-6 6-3 is the score.
"I think I made six in 2019, so I have some margin. It is a pity it is clay season after, but I am going to try. I am really happy with my results so far but it is not over. Final on Sunday and I have to be at my best to try to win it. I have to believe in myself. I know I am capable of winning big titles. I know I can play well and beat anybody. Carlos is on fire right now but you can't win 100 matches in a row. At one moment someone is going to put the water on the fire. It might be Sinner today, it might be me on Sunday, it might be someone else next tournament. You have to believe in yourself. You have to try your best. I am going to enjoy their match and be prepared for the winner. In my opinion, it was a top match. In the first set when we lost our serves, it was just a good game from the returner. In the second set I had one bad game and he won the set. I had one break point, I could have done better. He had a break point in the first game of the third set, I managed to play well. He had one bad game in the third set, I managed to take it and I am really happy to be through. It was a very tough match." - said Medvedev about his 5th final appearance in a row and other thoughts in the post-match interview.
