Favorite of the event, the 2nd in the world, finalist of the last Australian Open, lost 7-6 (9/7), 6-3 against the Pole, 10th player in the world.

As a direct consequence for the Russian, he will not return to the throne of the ATP circuit on Monday.

Only an accession to the last four would have allowed him to dislodge Novak Djokovic again, from whom he had stolen first place for two weeks before returning it to the Serb on March 21.

After a lost semi-final in Acapulco, against Rafael Nadal, already his executioner in Melbourne, and a surprise elimination in the 3rd round of Indian Wells against Gaël Monfils, this new defeat comes to sound the end of an unsatisfactory first quarter and probably frustrating for Medvedev, who never plays better than on hard courts.

The one who assured in recent weeks not to put too much pressure on his back concerning the place of N.1 in the world, while openly coveting it, did not find the stratospheric level which was his at the US Open there. six months ago, when, implacable in the final, he had shattered the dream of a Grand Slam on a season of Djokovic, preventing him from becoming the most successful in history.

But he fell on Thursday on the last master of the place, determined to keep his title won last year to everyone's surprise against the Italian Jannik Sinner.

Changing room and physio

"He's an extraordinary player, but I was coming back well and putting pressure on his serve. It's a nice feeling to come back as defending champion," commented the hot winner.

Pole Hubert Hurkacz, during the Miami Masters 1000 quarter-final against Russian Daniil Medvedev, March 31, 2022 Michael Reaves GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Hurkacz, who equalized with two wins everywhere in their confrontations, was the most enterprising on the court, often unleashing devastating forehands and not hesitating to go up to the net to better corner his opponent.

Relying on an excellent first ball (76%), the Pole knew not to be disunited when Medvedev, after saving two first set balls at 5-2, broke to push to the decisive game.

Tight, the tie-break ended up smiling at Hurkacz who needed three more opportunities.

The Russian then went to the locker room and the wait lasted eight minutes.

A harbinger of a weakening that appeared more and more evident in the second set, in very humid conditions.

The showdown nevertheless resumed with a vengeance and he had to fight nine minutes to keep his first game of service.

On the other hand, he gave up his commitment on the third, which lasted more than ten minutes, Hurkacz managing to bend him on his 6th break point.

Several times forced to lean, back down, on his racket to recover after the exchanges, Medvedev called the physio, complaining of dizziness.

Despite his courage, to try to reduce the gap to 5-4, it was enough for Hurkacz to shorten his ordeal after 2h03 min.

Russian Daniil Medvedev, victim of dizziness, discusses with a physiotherapist, during the 2nd set of the Miami Masters 1000 quarter-final against Pole Hubert Hurkacz, March 31, 2022 Michael Reaves GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

The Pole, who will play his third semi-final this year, after the ATP Cup and the Dubai tournament, remains in the running for a double never before achieved in Miami for men.

The joy of Pole Hubert Hurkacz, after his victory, 7-6 (9/7), 6-3, against Russian Daniil Medvedev, in the quarter-finals of the Miami Masters 1000, March 31, 2022 Michael Reaves GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA /AFP

His next opponent will be the Spanish phenomenon Carlos Alcaraz (16th) or the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic (48th).

© 2022 AFP