Daniil Medvedev embraced a 15-3 run at the Miami Masters between 2021 and 2024. The champion from two years ago will not extend his reliable numbers at Hard Rock Stadium following a heavy 6-2, 6-3 loss to Jaume Munar in an hour and 18 minutes!
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The Spaniard has been playing well on hard court this year, but this result would have been surprising if Daniil had not explained his physical condition.The Russian has not felt well since Indian Wells, trying everything to recover and play well in Miami but failing to achieve that.
Medvedev struggled on serve and return. He displayed his common tantrums about the balls and suffered his fourth hard-court loss of the season against rivals from outside the top-50! Daniil hopes to recover for the upcoming tournament, which should be Monte Carlo.
We should not take anything away from Munar's performance. The Spaniard outplayed his rival behind the first and second serve and defended two break points to keep the pressure on the other side. Jaume took 45% of the return points and delivered three breaks from 11 opportunities.
The lower-ranked player landed 17 winners and 14 unforced errors. Daniil sprayed 32 loose shots, mostly from his backhand. They hit ten service winners each, and Munar forged a massive 40-23 advantage from the baseline.
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Medvedev saved two break points in the second game of the match to avoid an early setback. He hit a double fault in the sixth game and suffered a break at 15 after netting a routine backhand. Munar cemented the break with a hold at love in game seven after a service winner.
The Spaniard landed a backhand down the line winner in the eighth game for threeset points. He converted the third after Medvedev's loose forehand for 6-2 in 34 minutes. Jaume painted a backhand down the line winner in the fourth game of the second set for two break chances.
He drew Medvedev's forehand error on the second, moving a set and a break in front and closer to the finish line. Daniil smashed his racquet and received a code violation. He also received a point penalty in the fifth game, with Munar holding at love and moving 4-1 up.
Daniil saved two break points in the sixth game and held for 2-4. The Russian served to stay in the match at 2-5 and saved a match point after the rival's wayward forehand. A top-10 player closed the game with a volley winner at the net and prolonged his chances.
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Jaume served for the win and faced the only two break points after Daniil's fine attack and a volley winner. The Spaniard saved the first with a serve & volley combo and landed a service winner on the second.
Munar defended superbly at a deuce and welcomed the opponent's loose drop shot for a match point. Jaume converted it after Daniil's terrible volley, earning a notable win and moving through.
