Daniil Medvedev through to semi-final after win over revelation Christopher Eubanks

In the end, he did not fall into the trap. Ultra-favorite of his quarter-final against the sensation of the tournament and darling of the Florida public, Christopher Eubanks (119th in the world), Daniil Medvedev did not walk around but he knew how to ensure the essentials. Frankly borrowed at the very beginning of the game then much more applied after a short interruption by the rain, the Russian overcame the obstacle in two sets (6-3, 7-5) and almost an hour and a half of play (1h29 exactly) . For the first time in the last four in Miami, he will find his compatriot Karen Khachanov or the Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo there.

The encouragement of actor Jamie Foxx, who came to support his friend, was not enough. Christopher Eubanks saw his epic end as one could anticipate with the man who has the most victories this season on the circuit (27 for 3 defeats), Daniil Medvedev. But the American, who will enter the Top 100 for the first time in his career next Monday thanks to this fabulous run from qualifying to the quarter-finals, has nothing to be ashamed of. He took his chances all the way, not in the least intimidated by his opponent’s resume, and just came across a tougher guy.

Rain woke Medvedev

If Eubanks could harbor one regret, it would be that of having been interrupted by the rain, decidedly capricious in Florida, when he was leading 3-2 in the first set. He had certainly not made the break but had obtained five opportunities to seize the second opposing face-off. Above all, Daniil Medvedev seemed to lack energy and suffered, when the exchange began, the aggressiveness of the American. But when, half an hour later, the debates resumed, the Russian was transformed, awakened by a first point won in the snatch on a nice delivery in full extension on the backhand. On the other side of the net, Eubanks suddenly made his current ranking (119th) to collect five games in a row (6-3, 1-0).

Much more diligent and focused on his face-offs, Medvedev continued to race in the lead in the second half until he got a break he thought was decisive (6-3, 4-2). But pushed by the positive and conquering spirit of his week, Eubanks replied in stride thanks to a paying aggressiveness on the forehand side. Hard-hitting on serve, the 26-year-old American frequently ventured to the net with quite a bit of success, especially behind his first sliced ​​balls and held off the Russian. But this one, less in verve than lately, had the good idea not to get frustrated.

Again impeccable in the service, he was able to intelligently put the pressure one last time on the restart, sometimes approaching his baseline to disrupt his rival. While Eubanks had just brilliantly saved the first two match points at the net, he got a third thanks to a missile in return winning long-line forehand. Then, the American cracked once too much in the forehand. But to see his smile at the net, he will quickly be able to evacuate the disappointment and retain his great adventure. As for Medvedev, he still hasn’t given up a single set and is aiming much higher.