Roberto Bautista Agut was the oldest player left standing at the Miami Open presented by Itau and the only player in the last eight to have reached this stage before. The 32-year-old drew from all of that experience to complete a 6-4, 6-2 stunner over top seed Daniil Medvedev on Wednesday as he sealed his fourth ATP Masters 1000 semi-final.
In a quarter-final line-up full of headline-grabbing breakthroughs and memorable debutants, seventh seed Bautista Agut enjoyed life under the radar in Miami. After receiving a bye and later a walkover into the third round, the Spaniard had to find his best tennis in back-to-back three-setters to book a meeting with Medvedev.
Bautista Agut brought a 2-0 ATP Head2Head lead into his quarter-final clash against Medvedev, with the Spaniard turning around a set deficit in their most recent meeting at last year’s Western & Southern Open in New York. This time, it was Bautista Agut who would take the lead first – and once he settled into the contest, he never looked shaken even as the Russian kept him under pressure.
Sinner Handles Bublik Barrage In Miami
“I want to give Daniil all the credit, I know he is one of the best players in the world,” Bautista Agut said in an on-court interview. “He’s been winning a lot of matches, he’s No. 2 in the world, so I’m very happy and proud about how I played today. I think I showed a great level on the court.”
After staying on serve across eight tense opening games, Bautista Agut broke through first at 5-4. The Spaniard outlasted Medvedev from the baseline, drawing an unforced error from the Russian. He saved break point of his own as he served out the opening set.
Bautista Agut continued to make Medvedev uncomfortable in the second set, taking an early lead and retrieving everything his opponent sent his way. He served out the victory to love to seal his spot in the Miami semi-final after an hour and 32 minutes.
Into the semi-finals in South Florida for the first time, Bautista Agut will face a familiar face in his next match against 21st seed Jannik Sinner. The pair last met two weeks ago in Dubai, and the Spaniard will be eyeing revenge for the 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 defeat.
“It was a very tough match in Dubai, and it was a very tight score,” Bautista Agut said. “He’s playing great, he’s very solid and he has very good strokes. I think I’ll have to play another good match like tonight.
“Jannik is playing great… I have to say he will be one of the best players in the world. I want to enjoy another good match and be happy about playing in the semi-finals.”
Did You Know?
With Daniil Medvedev bowing out in the quarter-finals, there will be a new first-time ATP Masters 1000 champion crowned at the Miami Open presented by Itau.