The 27-year-old Russian, who now has 23 wins in his last 24 games, will be looking to win a fourth trophy this season, following those lifted in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai in February.
For his first final in Florida, where he had never before passed the quarters, he will face the Italian Jannik Sinner (11th) or the defending champion, Carlos Alcaraz, who just beat him two weeks ago at the Masters 1000 of Indian Wells. However, the Spaniard must imperatively succeed in the "Sunshine Double" to maintain his place as world N.1 at the end of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Medvedev did not have an easy game against Khachanov, a compatriot he now dominates 4-1 in their head-to-head matches. Because the latter continues to confirm his good dispositions on hard, in recent months, after reaching the last four at the US Open last year and the Australian Open in January.
The former world No. 1, who won at Flushing Meadows in 2021, did it in two stages to pocket the first set. Broken after missing a set ball at 5-4, he did not disunite, managing to lead the dance to the decisive game, until winning it on his second opportunity.
Khachanov, who was looking for a second Masters 1000, after the one gleaned at Bercy in 2018, imposed his domination in the second set, aware of not having gone far from a nice shot in the first. More aggressive, he dropped his big forehands that constantly put his rival on the back foot.
But Medvedev was able to raise his level of play in the last set, making the exchanges last by varying the blows, to push his compatriot to the fault. And he relied on an excellent serve (13 aces, 69% of successful first balls), to keep without worrying the successful break in the fourth game.
© 2023 AFP