'Like a 94-year-old': Daniil Medvedev's 'iconic' breakdown against Aussie
World No.2 Daniil Medvedev has won his match against Aussie young gun Alexei Popyrin in bizarre circumstances after hobbling around the court with severe cramp at the Miami Open.
Medvedev was 5-4 up and had three match points in the second set when he started to hobble around with cramp.
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Popyrin incredibly saved the match points and went on to win the second set in a tiebreak to level the match.
But Medvedev broke in the third set, while he was still struggling with cramp.
To combat his limited movement, Medvedev started to go for high-risk shots to keep the points short.
The tactic paid off as Medvedev advanced at the ATP 1000 event 7-6 (7-3), 6-7 (7-9), 6-4.
The Russian was clearly in pain after the final point as he shuffled to the net and let out a smile as he shook hands with the Aussie.
"I saw he couldn't walk at all," Popyrin said.
"But he was bombing 120-mph serves. He was definitely struggling out there. Props to him that he was able to serve it out."
Medvedev hails tough victory at Miami Open
Medvedev described the win as one of the sweetest of his career.
"I felt like my legs were not following me anymore," Medvedev added.
"The only thing I was thinking about is not to fall down, because if you fall down, I don't think I would be able to get up.
"There were a few moments I just wanted to lay down and say, 'OK, it's over.' That's the thing I couldn't accept myself to do."
Fans were quick to hail Medvedev for his spirt during the battle of attrition.
Others also had a laugh at the bizarre scenes playing out in front of them.
To recap: Daniil Medvedev blew a 7-6 5-2* lead to Alexei Popyrin, then missed triple match point at 5-4*, lost the second set, cramped in the third set and finished the match walking like a 94 year old. And then he won.
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) March 28, 2021
Ultimate Warrior Spirit 💪@DaniilMedwed battled through the pain barrier in the closing stages to defeat Popyrin at @MiamiOpen... pic.twitter.com/RihFcQQ3HT
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 29, 2021
This wasn't match point but that's basically how Medvedev won the match. Absolute legend!
🎥@Eurosport_RU pic.twitter.com/21pssVB81v— Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) March 28, 2021
Iconic
🎥@Eurosport_RU #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/9ut1C7FcqM— Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) March 28, 2021
Medvedev in the third set today pic.twitter.com/mmBvtntX5E
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) March 28, 2021
Medvedev all of sudden is Charlie Chaplin
— enrico maria riva (@enricomariariva) March 28, 2021
Medvedev, walking like this, staggers across the finish line against Popyrin, and bursts out laughing. pic.twitter.com/8C4MFIVpFN
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) March 28, 2021
Medvedev has a 2-0 head-to-head record over Popyrin, with the pair regular practice partners throughout this season in a productive arrangement for both.
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