In a stunning upset at the Miami Open, Daniil Medvedev was defeated by Francisco Cerundolo with scores of 6-0, 4-6, 7-5. This match, held on March 23, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Florida, saw Medvedev, ranked 10th in the world, exit the tournament earlier than expected.
Cerundolo’s victory was particularly remarkable as it marked the first time he faced Medvedev in his career. The Argentine player showcased his skills by converting 7 of 12 break points, while Medvedev managed to convert 4 of his 8 opportunities.
The match lasted 2 hours and 17 minutes, with Cerundolo taking the first set 6-0. This was only the second time in Medvedev’s ATP career that he lost a set by such a score, highlighting the intensity of Cerundolo’s performance.
Reflecting on his unexpected success, Cerundolo stated, “I believed, because if he did it, I also could do it.” He added, “When I was 6-0 up, I didn’t expect it,” emphasizing the surprise of his dominant start.
Despite a strong comeback in the second set, where Medvedev won 4-6, he ultimately fell short in the deciding set. Cerundolo’s ability to maintain pressure was evident, as he finished the match with 24 winners, albeit with 36 unforced errors, compared to Medvedev’s 15 winners and 41 unforced errors.
This defeat is part of a broader trend at the 2026 Miami Open, where Medvedev was one of five Top 10 players to exit before the Round of 16. Such early exits have raised eyebrows among tennis fans and analysts alike.
Cerundolo is set to face Ugo Humbert in the fourth round, and many will be watching to see if he can continue his impressive run. Meanwhile, details remain unconfirmed regarding Medvedev’s next steps following this unexpected loss.