Daniil Medvedev ended American qualifier Christopher Eubanks' impressive run at the Miami Open with a 6-3, 7-5 victory in their quarterfinal on Thursday.
Medvedev, in the semifinals in Miami for the first time, will face fellow-Russian Karen Khachanov for a place in the final after the 14th seed beat Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 6-2.
The 26-year-old Eubanks was playing in his first ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal after upsetting Frenchmen Adrian Mannarino and Gregoire Barrere and Croatia's 17th-ranked Borna Coric.
The 6-foot-7, big-serving Eubanks showed no signs of nerves, holding his first two serves, but he was unable to take advantage of five break-points in a thrilling fourth game.
A half hour rain-break appeared to disrupt Eubanks' momentum, however, and he was broken on his first service game after the resumption of play, going long and allowing Medvedev to take a 4-3 lead.
The Russian, who after the break noticeably stepped further into the second serve, broke again to take the first set, but Eubanks was not about to roll over against the world No 5.
In the sixth game of the second set, Medvedev won a great rally at the net to go 4-2 up but Eubanks again showed his character to break back and keep his hopes alive.
Grin for the win ??@DaniilMedwed prevails in a rapid cat and mouse exchange @MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/6GYe6WXh25
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 30, 2023
Eubanks saved two match points as Medvedev looked to break him and avoid a deciding set, but then on the third match point he messed up a straightforward volley, putting it out and ending his resistance.
The American, who will move from 119th to 85th in the ATP rankings, said Medvedev had shown the ruthlessness that exists at the top level of the game.
"The mistakes are going to be amplified at this level. Little things, missed opportunities, that maybe in some tournaments I've played in the past or (against) some opponents don't seem like such a big deal," he said.
"There are no easy games (at this level). I think that is the best way to describe the step up in level. Holds don't come easy and breaks definitely don't come easy."
Medvedev has now won 22 of his past 23 matches, capturing titles in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai during that run and reaching the final in Indian Wells, where he lost to world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz.
Leading the pack ??
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 30, 2023
22 victories in his past 23 matches, @DaniilMedwed is chasing a 5th successive final@MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/bB4YIdRHQF
"I have never had such a good start to the season. A lot of matches won, tournaments won. I am really happy," Medvedev said.
"I was disappointed at Indian Wells when my streak ended but the only thing you can do is begin a new streak and I am happy I was able to bring my form into Miami."
Khachanov needed just 75 minutes to take care of business against Cerundolo despite a determined start from the Argentine.
Cerundolo broke the Russian to go 3-2 up but then lost his next two service games and was never able to recover.
Khaschanov now faces a familar foe in Medvedev.
Off-court friends, on-court rivals ??@karenkhachanov will meet @DaniilMedwed in his first ever @MiamiOpen semifinal#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/Mjrhh0RVFk
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 30, 2023
Spaniard Alcaraz was in action later in his last eight meeting with another American, Taylor Fritz, with the winner due to face Italian Jannik Sinner in the semifinal.