Francisco Cerundolo upset with in-form Daniil Medvedev, keeps Miami love affair alive ATP Tour

Miami

Cerundolo upset with in-form Medvedev, keeps Miami love affair alive

The Argentinian reaches the fourth round for the fourth time in five games in Miami

March 23, 2026

Francisco Cerundolo’s love for the Miami Open hosted by Itau shows no signs of waning.

The 27-year-old Argentinian defeated in-form world number 10 Daniil Medvedev 6-0, 4-6, 7-5 on Monday to reach the fourth round of the ATP Masters 1000 event for the fourth time in five matches.

“I felt good in the first round here and now I feel much better,” Cerundolo, No. 19 in the PIF ATP Rankings, said after earning his first top-10 finish of the season. “I’m getting my confidence back. The level is there, I’m just trying to find it. But now, top 16, so hopefully I can keep it up.”

Fran is feeling the love in Miami 💙@miamiopen | #miamiopen | @FranCerundolo pic.twitter.com/YpIlRxtmMC

— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 23, 2026

Medvedev shuts out world number one Carlos Alcaraz in Indian Wells semi-finals Arriving in Miami confident after a perfect 16-0 start to the 2026 season, he has re-established himself among tennis’ elite. However, Cerundolo consistently bothered the former world No. 1 with his trademark forehand aggression.

Cerundolo has long thrived in South Florida, reaching the semifinals in his debut in 2022 and then reaching the quarterfinals in 2023 and 2025. Now he aims to reach the quarter-finals again, where he will next face Ugo Humbert, whom he defeated in their only Lexus ATP encounter at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Medvedev, meanwhile, has already won titles in Brisbane and Dubai and is chasing his 20th victory on the tour this season. Instead, the 30-year-old left Miami with a 19-5 record, according to the Infosys ATP Win-Loss Index.

Cerundolo dominated early, leading all the way in the first set and looking to win in straight sets before Medvedev fought back from 3-1 down in the second set. The pair engaged in a quality confrontation in the Florida heat, with Medvedev igniting the atmosphere with an instinctive winner to end a 22-goal showdown.

The former world No. 1 saved four break points in the crucial 3-4 match. But Cerundolo ultimately had the final say, releasing a forehand to seal the victory after 2 hours and 17 minutes.

“It was a good game, very tough,” Serendolo said. “This was my first match against Daniel. He was probably the only player on the tour that I had never played against. I didn’t know what to expect. He had had a great year so far, so I didn’t expect to lead 6-0 in the first set and break in the second.

“All of a sudden, he started playing really well. But I kept believing and staying in the match. In the third set, both sides played really well and it ended the way I did.”