KAREN KHACHANOV V DANIIL MEDVEDEV
It’s an all-Russian showdown in the Miami Masters men’s semi, with 14th seed Karen Khachanov aiming to defy a rough rivalry record against red-hot fourth seed Daniil Medvedev.
Medvedev boasts a 3-1 record against Khachanov, whose sole win was in Moscow in 2018. In their only two meetings since, Medvedev prevailed at the 2019 Montreal Masters and this year’s Adelaide International in straight sets.
In easily his best Miami Open showing, Khachanov has reached an ATP 1000 semi for the first time since 2019. After holding off Tomas Etcheverry in straight sets, the big-serving 26-year-old has been in imperious touch.
Khachanov demolished young gun Jiri Lehecka 6-2 6-4, outlasted world No.3 Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6 6-4 and dominated 25th seed Francisco Cerundolo 6-3 6-2 in the quarters. He’s dropped just three games at the tournament – and only one in his last three matches.
Medvedev, meanwhile, has won 22 of his last 23 matches in a sizzling post-Australian Open run that includes titles in Rotterdam, Qatar and Dubai, and a final at Indian Wells. He is yet to drop a set in reaching his first Miami Open semi after quarter-final losses in 2021-22.
The 2021 US Open champ crushed Roberto Carballes Baena 6-1 6-2 before Alex Molcan pulled out of their third round clash. Medvedev then disposed of Quentin Halys 6-4 6-2 and held off the willing challenge of Chris Eubanks 6-3 7-5 in the quarter-finals.
Khachanov’s last seven months includes semi-final charges at the US and Australian Opens. But given the only player Medvedev hasn’t beaten comfortably in the past two months is Carlos Alcaraz, it seems assured he’ll power into his fifth straight tour final.
Tip: Back Medvedev to Win 2-0
PETA KVITOVA V SORANA CIRSTEA
After pulling off one of the biggest boilovers of the season, Romania’s Sorana Cirstea lines up in her first WTA 1000 semi-final in a decade against fellow veteran Petra Kvitova at the Miami Masters.
World No.74 Cirstea, whose sole grand slam quarter-final appearance was back in 2009, has found vintage form in recent weeks after a largely indifferent start to 2023. She beat the likes of Madison Keys and Caroline Garcia on her way to the Indian Wells quarters, where she lost to Iga Swiatek.
But her displays in Miami have been something else, disposing of Fernanda Contreras Gomez, world No.5 Garcia again, the in-form Karolina Muchova, Marketa Vondrousova, and reigning Australian Open champ and Indian Wells runner-up Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets.
Cirstea’s gap between WTA 1000 semi-final appearances is the second-longest ever, while she has set a new record for the most wins at the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami Masters) by a player ranked outside the top 50.
Though far better credentialled, 15th seed Petra Kvitova has enjoyed a similar renaissance at the Sunshine Double after an underwhelming start to the season. The 33-year-old reached the quarters at Indian Wells with wins over Jelena Ostapenko and Jessica Pegula, eventually eliminated by Maria Sakkari.
In Miami, Kvitova has put away Linda Noskova (6-3 6-0), 22nd seed Donna Vekic (6-4 7-6), Varvara Gracheva (7-5 7-6) and 18th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova (6-4 3-6 6-3). The dual grand slam winner is searching for her 13th WTA 1000 final appearance, the last coming at the 2022 Canadian Masters.
This is the pair’s 11th meeting, Kvitova building a 6-4 advantage. Cirstea claimed upset wins at the 2021 and ’22 Australian Opens but Kvitova responded with a victory at the Cincinnati Open.
Beating Sabalenka so convincingly is a massive confidence-booster ahead of another tall order for Cirstea. But Kvitova’s overwhelming big-match experience advantage – and equally strong form over the past fortnight – will serve her well ahead of a fascinating semi.
Tip: Back Kvitova to Win 2-1
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