Medvedev Rallies to Advance at Miami Open

World No. 10 overcomes slow start to defeat Rei Sakamoto in three sets

Mar. 22, 2026 at 1:58am

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Daniil Medvedev, the world No. 10 tennis player, rallied from a first-set loss to defeat Japan's Rei Sakamoto 6-7(10), 6-3, 6-1 in the second round of the 2026 Miami Open. The match lasted over two hours as Medvedev adjusted to the slower court conditions that initially favored Sakamoto.

Why it matters

Medvedev's comeback victory shows his ability to adapt and overcome challenges, an important skill as he progresses through the Miami Open tournament. The slower court conditions in Miami presented a different test compared to the faster courts at Indian Wells, where Medvedev recently reached the final.

The details

Medvedev dropped the first set in a tight tiebreaker before finding his rhythm and cruising through the final two sets. He noted the difference in court speed between the two tournaments, with the slower conditions in Miami initially favoring Sakamoto's game. However, Medvedev was able to make the necessary adjustments to secure the victory.

  • The match took place on Thursday, March 21, 2026.

The players

Daniil Medvedev

A Russian professional tennis player who is currently ranked world No. 10.

Rei Sakamoto

A Japanese professional tennis player who faced Medvedev in the second round of the 2026 Miami Open.

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What they’re saying

“The slower conditions in Miami appeared to favor Sakamoto initially, but Medvedev adjusted to secure the victory.”

— Daniil Medvedev

What’s next

Medvedev will next face the winner of the match between Francisco Cerúndolo and Thiago Agustín Tirante as he continues his quest for the Miami Open title.

The takeaway

Medvedev's ability to adapt to the slower court conditions in Miami and rally from a first-set deficit demonstrates his mental toughness and versatility as a top-10 player. This victory sets him up for a potential deep run at the prestigious Miami Open.