Daniil Medvedev wrapped up his fourth ATP Tour title of the year in style with a straight-sets win over Italy's Jannik Sinner in the final of the Miami Open.
The world number five took just 94 minutes to seal a 7-5 6-3 win over his weary opponent, who struggled physically throughout the contest after his stunning semi-final win over Carlos Alcaraz.
Double-faulting no fewer than three times during an abysmal fifth game, Medvedev was the first to be broken, although he beat away three opportunities for Sinner before the Italian converted his fourth.
However, the Russian broke straight back to get the contest back on serve at 3-3, and a plethora of untimely mistakes in the 12th game cost Sinner dear.
The Italian 21-year-old racked up four unforced errors in five points as Medvedev's sublime baseline play earned him the break needed to clinch the first set, and the writing was seemingly on the wall early in the second set.
Medvedev broke straight away for a 2-0 lead, but Sinner refused to wave the white flag and earned one break back to offer himself a glimmer of hope.
That makes 🖐️ Masters 1000 titles for Medvedev! pic.twitter.com/bcgxxWDRTz
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) April 2, 2023
However, Medvedev broke once again for a 3-1 lead and powered through his remaining service games to win his fifth ATP 1000 title, while also denying Sinner his first Masters honour.
While Sinner was visibly battling physical problems, Medvedev admitted that he also struggled in the Miami heat, saying: "I'm really happy. Today was a tough match. It was probably the hottest day and the most humid during the day.
"It was not easy conditions. I don't know if Jannik had a small injury or cramp. I was also struggling, tried not to show it.
"I haven't won such a big title in probably a year and a half. At the end I was quite shaky. Not even tight, because I'm not scared to win.
"But still the hands get a little shaky so the serve is a little bit tougher... I managed to get myself together and close the match."
Medvedev's maiden Miami crown adds to his titles from Rotterdam, Dubai and Qatar in 2023, having also reached the final of the Indian Wells Masters before losing to Alcaraz.
The Russian had previously not won a Masters title since the 2021 Canadian Open, while Sinner has now lost both of his ATP 1000 finals, also going down to Hubert Hurkacz in the 2021 Miami showpiece event.
Ben Knapton
