ATP Masters in Miami, Round of 16, Wednesday, 29/03/2023
First three titles in a row, then a tough loss to the world No. 1 – how will Daniil Medvedev react to his two faces in recent weeks here in Miami?
He has never made it to the Masters here, and he should be well rested before his round of 16 match. His opponent on Wednesday: a rather blank slate from France, which is why the Russian is clearly in the lead at Bwin.
In my Halys Medvedev tip, however, I will now reveal why I don’t necessarily expect a clear affair here, but say: At least one set will be so exciting that we will go into a tiebreak!
How much did this defeat hit him? Daniil Medvedev seemed to have finally played his way into the season, clearing three tournaments in a row. In Indian Wells, however, this series came to an end for the time being.
He struggled his way into the final, benefiting, for example, in a match against Alexander Zverev that lasted more than three hours, from the fact that Zverev could only use two of 17 break chances. In the final, he faced Carlos Alcaraz.
It was a clear-cut affair, which the Spaniard won 6-2, 6-3. Medvedev did not have a single break chance and at the same time could not fend off any of the three chances he gave his opponent.
53% won points on first serve, that’s just not enough in the world top. In Miami, he is now dreaming of his first appearance in the final, having been eliminated twice in the quarter-finals.
The Russian has not yet played much here, after a walk-through he started against Roberto Carballes with a very sovereign 6-1, 6-2. When it was to go against Alex Molcan a little later, the message came: Withdrawal, Medvedev continues without a fight.
So he was able to save a lot of energy, or did that rather take him out of his rhythm? He has actually met his upcoming opponent once before, but that was a long time ago.
Eight years ago, when both were still under 20, they met in France and Halys won by a hair’s breadth, 7-6, 6-4. That the Frenchman now also wins in the main draw, our betting providers consider almost impossible.
1.10 to 6.90, the odds clearly point to Medvedev. But Quentin Halys can of course say: I can only win, all the pressure is on my competitor.
The 26-year-old, ranked 79th in the rankings, was actually not on the bookmakers’ list as far as the role of secret favourite is concerned. In fact, this is the first time he has appeared in the main competition here in Miami.
In the 1st round he started against Pedro Martinez, with 6-2, 7-6 Halys prevailed. He delivered his masterpiece so far a few days later against Alex de Minaur, when he served in the clear underdog role.
A fight developed that went on for hours and in the end resulted in a 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 for Halys. Obviously, the Frenchman had recovered quickly from that, because already in round 3 he managed to beat Mackenzie McDonald 7-6, 6-3.
Five tiebreaks in three matches, that is of course quite a lot. 80% of the points he won he collected on average on his first serve, with his 1.91 metres he is not much shorter than Daniil Medvedev.
My Halys Medvedev Tip
For Daniil Medvedev, it’s still not entirely clear how the Masters on Miami will go. He has only played one match here, and that was against a fairly easy opponent. Quentin Halys could be in a different category.
The Frenchman is in a really good mood at the moment, he is serving very well in Miami, wins the decisive points in tiebreaks and has also eliminated Alex de Minaur. That’s why I’m going with the following tip:
We’ll see at least one tiebreak!
