🚨 UPDATE: What a shock! Francisco Cerundolo caused a massive sensation by knocking Daniil Medvedev out of the tournament. 👉 Read our full recap of this crazy day and all the shocking results here
When players who have never crossed rackets before meet in the Round of 32 at the Miami Masters, excitement is guaranteed. Daniil Medvedev, the master of tactical exhaustion, faces off against Francisco Cerundolo, an Argentine player whose heavy forehand can break down any defense.
Both men took completely different paths to reach this stage of the tournament, and the statistical parameters from their previous rounds paint a clear picture of what we can expect on the court.
Daniil Medvedev: How Did the “Octopus” Survive the Drama?
Medvedev went through absolute hell in the previous round before finally breaking the resistance of a resilient Rei Sakamoto, winning 6-7(10), 6-3, 6-1. Although he ultimately triumphed, the first set revealed certain vulnerabilities in the Russian’s game.
- A Slow Start: Medvedev lost the opening set after a grueling marathon tie-break that ended 12-10 in Sakamoto’s favor.
- Finding the Rhythm: It took him time to adjust, but once Medvedev found his range in the second and third sets, his baseline consistency was overwhelming.
- Return Efficiency: The Russian reminded everyone why he is one of the best returners on tour, capitalizing on the opponent’s weaker second serves and creating numerous break point opportunities to secure the comeback.
Francisco Cerundolo: Unforgiving Aggression
On the other side of the net, the 18th seed, Francisco Cerundolo, had a much easier task. He routinely defeated his compatriot Thiago Agustin Tirante 6-4, 6-2 in just one hour and 25 minutes of play.
- Efficient Execution: The Argentine dictated the pace, stepping inside the baseline and using his devastating forehand to hit through the court.
- Lethal Return Game: Cerundolo constantly pressured his opponent’s serve, breaking Tirante multiple times with aggressive and deep returns.
- Serving Troubles: The one statistic that must worry his camp ahead of the Medvedev clash is his first serve percentage, which hovered around a low 54%.
Tactical Matchup: What Will Decide the Match?
This is a classic clash of styles. Medvedev will stand his usual five meters behind the baseline, returning every ball deep into the court, trying to force Cerundolo to hit an extra shot. The Argentine, on the other hand, will try to use his massive forehand to punch holes in that defensive wall.
The key to the match lies in Cerundolo’s serve. If he repeats a first-serve percentage of just 54%, Medvedev will mercilessly punish him on the return. The Russian showed in the last round how dangerous he is when attacking the opponent’s second serve.
Our Prediction
Cerundolo has the firepower to take a set off Medvedev, especially if the Russian enters the match slowly again like he did against Sakamoto. However, in a best-of-three format, the relentless consistency and tactical genius of Daniil Medvedev should prevail. We expect a tight first set, but the Russian to advance in two close sets, or eventually three.
What do you think? Can Cerundolo secure his biggest win of the season? Follow our [Main Miami Open 2026 Hub] for all live scores and the latest tactical analyses!