Daniil Medvedev gave a lesson in honor during his match against Australian Alexey Popyrin in the third round of the Miami Open, in which he won 7-6 (3), 6-7 (7) and 6-4 after missing three match points in the second set and playing with cramps for much of the third set.
Medvedev himself was so euphoric at the press conference after this agonizing match. “I think that winning a Grand Slam final in three straight sets does not feel what I did after match point today.”
The problems for Medvedev began in the second set and in the break between this round and the third and final set, the Russian had to request the presence of the physio in order to continue playing. “The only thing I was thinking about was not to fall, because if I fell, I didn't think I would be able to get up again. There were several moments when I wanted to lie down and say 'okay, it's over.' In the end it was that I could hardly walk, my legs did not follow me. He couldn't bend or straighten them, he had to maintain the same posture, and he couldn't take a step of more than 10 centimeters. “
Despite the torturous experience, Medvedev highlighted the positive side of the situation and how he managed to take the victory despite physical problems. “I feel like it was a fun match in a way, a match to remember. For me, of course, not for him. You know? The funny thing is, he should have won in straight sets. We shouldn't be here talking about it, but here. we are. It's a match to remember, without a doubt “, said Medvedev, who will now seek a place in the quarterfinals against American Frances Tiafoe, who also beat Serbian Dusan Lajovic in three sets (1-6, 7-5 and 6-3).