(Reuters) – Roberto Bautista Agut maintained his spotless record against Daniil Medvedev with a win in the last eight 6-4 6-2 over the world at number two at the Miami Open, ensuring a new ATP Masters 1000 winner on day Sunday.
Four of the top six on the men’s tour have skipped Miami, and with Russia’s top seed exit on Wednesday there are no Masters 1000 players left in the draw.
Medvedev, who replaced Rafa Nadal as No. 2 last month, went into the final eight with a 17-2 win-loss record for the season but had lost to the experienced Spaniard in their previous two career meetings.
And the third time was not lucky for the Russian, with seventh seed Bautista Agut sealing the win in 92 minutes.
“To beat Daniil in two sets, that’s because I’ve played great tennis,” the 32-year-old Spaniard told reporters. “I was very strong and I could play with a lot of rhythm, make it work a lot.
“Physically I felt good on the court. It was a very tight first set. Well, it was a great fight from my side. ”
After eight tight games in the opening set, Bautista Agut took the lead with a service break at 5-4, leaving Medvedev to break his racket in frustration.
The Spaniard, who will face 19-year-old Jannik Sinner, for a place in Sunday’s final, did not look back from there.
“I was very focused on what I had to do on the next game,” he said. “Of course he broke the racket, that’s because he lost his patience.
“I think I’ve done some great things to put it under pressure and to (make it) feel this way.”