Daniil Medvedev reached the semi-finals at the Miami Open presented by Itau for the first time Thursday when he overcame qualifier Christopher Eubanks 6-3, 7-5 to end the American's dream run in South Florida.
In a rain-disrupted clash, the fourth seed absorbed Eubanks' powerful serve and hit through the middle of the court to cut off angles. He struck a number of winners past the onrushing Eubanks, who closed the net frequently, while he recovered from squandering a break advantage in the second set to advance after one hour and 30 minutes.
"I didn't play my best before [the rain delay]. The rain helped me go out and have more energy," Medvedev said on the rain delay which suspended play at 2-3 in the first set. "It helped me and I only played better and better, apart from one bad game on my serve, but it happens."
Medvedev, who fell at the quarter-final stage in Miami in 2021 and 2022, will aim to reach his fifth consecutive tour-level final when he faces Karen Khachanov or Francisco Cerundolo in the last four.
The 27-year-old is now 27-3 on the season, having won 22 of his past 23 matches. Medvedev has lifted trophies in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai during that run and reached the final in Indian Wells, where World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz ended his 19-match winning streak.
"I have never had such a good start to the season. A lot of matches won, tournaments won. I am really happy," Medvedev said. "I was disappointed at Indian Wells when my streak ended on the same number as last time. The only thing you can do is begin a new streak and I am happy to bring my form into Miami."
Eubanks has enjoyed a dream run in Miami. After coming through qualifying, the 26-year-old earned victories against Denis Kudla, Borna Coric, Gregoire Barrere and Adrian Mannarino, rising 34 spots to No. 85 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings.
Did You Know?
Medvedev will rise to No. 4 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings if he wins the title in Miami.
In a rain-disrupted clash, the fourth seed absorbed Eubanks' powerful serve and hit through the middle of the court to cut off angles. He struck a number of winners past the onrushing Eubanks, who closed the net frequently, while he recovered from squandering a break advantage in the second set to advance after one hour and 30 minutes.
"I didn't play my best before [the rain delay]. The rain helped me go out and have more energy," Medvedev said on the rain delay which suspended play at 2-3 in the first set. "It helped me and I only played better and better, apart from one bad game on my serve, but it happens."
Medvedev, who fell at the quarter-final stage in Miami in 2021 and 2022, will aim to reach his fifth consecutive tour-level final when he faces Karen Khachanov or Francisco Cerundolo in the last four.
The 27-year-old is now 27-3 on the season, having won 22 of his past 23 matches. Medvedev has lifted trophies in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai during that run and reached the final in Indian Wells, where World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz ended his 19-match winning streak.
"I have never had such a good start to the season. A lot of matches won, tournaments won. I am really happy," Medvedev said. "I was disappointed at Indian Wells when my streak ended on the same number as last time. The only thing you can do is begin a new streak and I am happy to bring my form into Miami."
Eubanks has enjoyed a dream run in Miami. After coming through qualifying, the 26-year-old earned victories against Denis Kudla, Borna Coric, Gregoire Barrere and Adrian Mannarino, rising 34 spots to No. 85 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings.
Did You Know?
Medvedev will rise to No. 4 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings if he wins the title in Miami.