Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, walks gingerly to the net after defeating Alexei Popyrin, of Australia, during the Miami Open tennis tournament, Sunday, March 28, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)MIAMI – Daniil Medvedev could barely walk, much less run.
The top-ranked Medvedev held his final two service games despite being hobbled by cramps and beat Alexei Popyrin 7-6 (3), 6-7 (7), 6-4 in the third round at the Miami Open.
“Winning a Grand Slam final in straight sets doesn’t feel the way I felt after the match point today,” he said with a grin.
Medvedev failed to convert three match points in the second set after taking a 5-2 lead.
When Popyrin misfired on a backhand on the final point, Medvedev shuffled to the net with a smile that turned into a wince.