In an exciting match on Friday, Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov upset Alexander Zverev 6-4 6-7 (4) 6-4 to advance to the Miami Open final, where he will take on world No. 3 Jannik Sinner. With only three unforced errors in the entire match, the 11th-seeded Dimitrov used his forehand to devastating effect to win the first set.
But in a close second set, fourth seed Zverev regained some control, serving with precision to deny Dimitrov any chance to break before sealing the tie-break to even the score.
In the decider, Dimitrov stretched his record of wins to 44 when he successfully fended off a break point, seized the lead at 4-3, and then calmly ended the match on serve to earn his first victory against Zverev since 2014.
“We really went after each other, it was like a dogfight on both ends,” said Dimitrov, whose triumph will mark his first appearance in the top 10 since 2018.
“In the second set, he improved his game. He also had a chance in the third set, but my serving was excellent.”
Dimitrov will take on Sinner in the Sunday final after Sinner defeated Daniil Medvedev, the reigning Miami Open winner, 6-1 6-2 to get it to the championship match for the second consecutive year.
The Hot Streak for Sinner Continues
Medvedev improved his record against the Italian to 6-0 when he defeated Sinner to win the Miami title a year ago.
However, the second seed has been in the driver’s seat ever since, as he has emerged victorious in five straight matches, including a thrilling five-set match in the Australian Open final earlier this year.
On the Hard Rock Stadium court, Sinner put on a clinical display to end Medvedev’s challenge in 69 minutes without any drama.
After making it to the Miami final for the third time in four years, Sinner remarked, “I felt great on court today. Usually the more you go on in a tournament the more comfortable I feel and I’m very happy about today’s performance.”
“I believe Daniil wasn’t feeling well today because he made a lot of mistakes that he usually doesn’t make.”If I can do well, it’s a big tournament for me; if not, I have plenty of other opportunities.
Sinner becomes the only player to reach three finals this season; he has only lost once, to Carlos Alcaraz in the Indian Wells semifinal two weeks ago.
After the Russian had three break opportunities in the first service game, the Italian put pressure on Medvedev and won 2-0 on a blazing forehand.
Finally, at 5-1, the third-seeded Russian would hold serve, but it was just a matter of time as Sinner won a superb opening set without making a single unforced mistake.
The world number four was left staring across the net in shock as Sinner, who had another break to start the second set, continued to sprint ahead of Medvedev, who was helpless to stop him.
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