Daniil Medvedev suffered an early Indian Wells loss and stepped from the ATP throne ahead of Miami. The Russian kicked off the campaign in Florida in the second round against a three-time Major winner Andy Murray. Medvedev defeated Murray 6-4, 6-2 in an hour and 29 minutes for a winning start, beating the Briton for the second time in as many encounters.
Andy claimed 12 points in nine return games, never creating a break point. Murray could not follow that pace in his games, serving at 51% and experiencing three breaks from six chances offered to Medvedev. Daniil fired 22 winners and 12 unforced errors, taming his strokes nicely and building the advantage in the shortest and most advanced exchanges.
The Briton fought well in the opening 13 games before the Russian rattled off five straight games to emerge at the top in style.
Daniil Medvedev defeated Andy Murray in Miami.
Andy held at 30 in the encounter’s first game, and Daniil did the same in game two for 1-1.
Murray netted a forehand in the third game and faced three break points. He played a loose forehand on the first to suffer a break and love and push Medvedev 2-1 ahead. The Russian claimed the fourth game after deuce to confirm the lead and open a 3-1 gap.
Andy saved a break point in game five to avoid an even more significant deficit and remained in touch. Daniil cracked a forehand down the line winner in game six for a hold at love and a 4-2 advantage. The Briton found the rhythm behind the initial shot and closed it love to remain within one break deficit.
Daniil grabbed the eighth game at 15, and Andy responded with another commanding hold in the next one to prolong the battle. The Russian served for the set in game ten and fired a service winner for 6-4 in 46 minutes. Still giving his best, Murray delivered a fine hold at the start of the second set with a service winner.
Daniil grabbed the second game at love and could not create chances on the return in the next one, as Andy opened a 2-1 gap. World no. 2 clinched the fourth game at love for 2-2 and created break chances in the next one after Murray’s costly double fault.
Andy saved them to reach deuce before Daniil landed a volley winner at the net on the third to open a 3-2 gap. Medvedev held after deuce in game six for 4-2 and broke Murray at love a few minutes later to cement his triumph. Daniil fired a service winner at 5-2 to seal the deal and advance into the third round.
