By Tony Fairbairn
- Jannik Sinner [2] v Daniil Medvedev [3]
- Alexander Zverev [4] v Grigor Dimitrov [11]
MIAMI, USA – Daniil Medvedev takes on Jannik Sinner in a repeat of last year’s Miami final as both players aim to reach the final in Florida for a second consecutive year.
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Jannik Sinner [2] v Daniil Medvedev [3] | H2H: Medvedev leads 6-4
It’s been another successful week for Jannik Sinner with the Italian into his fourth consecutive semi-final of the season. Now Sinner will aim for another title to add to his collection as he looks to go one better than last year and claim his third title of the year. Standing in Sinner’s way is the player that beat him in last year’s final, Daniil Medvedev as the third seed is yet to drop a set this week as he aims to successfully defend his title.
H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jannik Sinner [2] v Daniil Medvedev [3] | H2H: Medvedev leads 6-4 |
| Miami 2024 | Miami, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $325,000 |
| Second on Stadium (Not before 19:00 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
It’s been another incredible week for Sinner who hasn’t always been at his best in Miami but has shown resilience and a strong mentality to reach another semi-final.
Now Sinner will look to continue his search for a third title this season as he could become the new world number two this week.
Standing in Sinner’s way is Medvedev, who was the player to beat the Italian in the final last year and enters the last four in a good run of form.
Having not dropped a set so far in Miami, Medvedev will feel in confident mood as he looks to reach a second consecutive Masters 1000 final.
Speaking after his victory over Tomas Machac, Sinner admitted he is happy with his level of play heading into the semi-finals.
“Physically I feel good. I’m just happy to compete,” Sinner told the ATP website.
“We practise very hard to be in these positions and I’m really happy I can play once again in the semis here at such a special tournament. It’s special for me, I made my first Masters 1000 final here, so I’m really happy to be back in the semis.”
As for Medvedev, the world number three defended his defensive style of play and said that tennis isn’t always about beauty.
“I think in every sport it is the same when you play defensively,” Medvedev told the ATP website.
“People want to see the show, so they want to see offensive shots, and that’s why as soon as Carlos [Alcaraz] came on the Tour, he gained a big fanbase because he crushes the ball.
“I always say, ‘I could do it’, but then I think I would not have the results I have had in my career, and for me the result is the most important. It’s more important than to, let’s say, be beautiful on the court. For Carlos, it doesn’t work this way. That’s the way he plays and that’s the way it works [for him], so it’s kind of a benefit that this way gains fans and gains attention.”
Sinner will aim to dictate on the forehand and will look to use different heights of shot to force shorter balls.
Meanwhile Medvedev will use depth and angles to force Sinner into uncomfortable positions in the court.
This will be a competitive match with both players in confident form this week with Sinner having the slight psychological and tactical advantage heading into this match.
Prediction: Sinner in three sets.
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Alexander Zverev [4] v Grigor Dimitrov [11] | H2H: Zverev leads 7-1
Alexander Zverev has overcome a tricky set of matches including against Felix Auger-Aliassime, Christopher Eubanks and Karen Khachanov in order to reach the semi-finals in Miami. The German is yet to drop a set and will aim to reach the Miami final as he continues to build momentum towards the clay court season. Next for Zverev is Grigor Dimitrov who produced a stunning display to cruise past Carlos Alcaraz as he searches for his second Masters 1000 final in the space of four months.
H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Alexander Zverev [4] v Grigor Dimitrov [11] | H2H: Zverev leads 7-1 |
| Miami 2024 | Miami, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $325,000 |
| Third on Stadium (Not before 23:00 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Zverev is yet to drop a set in Miami as he continues his post-Australian Open revival after reaching the semi-finals in Melbourne.
Now the German will look to reach an eleventh Masters 1000 final as he aims for momentum heading into the clay court swing.
Standing in Zverev’s way is Dimitrov who produced a stunning display to topple Alcaraz as he continues his incredible form this season.
Now the Bulgarian will look to reach his second Masters 1000 final in the space of four months.
Speaking after his win over Fabian Maroszan, Zverev revealed his delight at reaching the semi-finals and praised the Hungarian for his performance.
“I’m happy to be back in these late stages of these tournaments, playing the best players in the world, I think there are only those left, Looking forward to the challenge,” Zverev told the ATP website.
“If he keeps playing like that, he’s going to rise up the rankings very quickly. He always rushes [you]… I think when all top players feel like they are in control, they feel like they manage the match and play the match a little bit in their own favour and against him, it’s not possible. That’s why he has such a great Top 10 record [4-2]. He’s an unbelievable player.”
Meanwhile Dimitrov said that simplicity was the key to beating Alcaraz in straight sets.
“I think overall to win against him you have to play at your best, that’s just how it is,” Dimitrov told the ATP website.
“I came into the match very focussed and I think [it was] extremely clear what I had to do. Sometimes simplicity is genius. It’s very, very hard to do it, especially when you play against an opponent like that, but I was really able to dictate the game, read the game a little bit better than last time. Overall, I think a very great match on my end and I’m just happy I finished in straight sets.”
Zverev will look to use depth in order to neutralize Dimitrov’s aggressive and attacking patterns of play.
Meanwhile Dimitrov will aim to use angles in order to move Zverev around the court and force shorter balls for the Bulgarian to attack and finish points off quickly.
This will be a match that Dimitrov will believe he can win and finally end his poor form against Zverev.
However the advantage will go to the German given their recent head-to-head meetings as well as Zverev’s form at the moment.
Prediction: Zverev in three sets.
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