Francisco Cerundolo Eliminates Daniil Medvedev at Miami Open, Advancing After Three-Set Momentum Swings

Cerúndolo’s win reshapes a key section of the men’s draw in Miami Gardens

Francisco Cerúndolo produced one of the early headline results of the 2026 Miami Open, defeating Daniil Medvedev in a third-round meeting at Hard Rock Stadium. The result removed a former tournament champion from the men’s singles field and moved the Argentine into the second week of the ATP Masters 1000 event.

The Miami Open is being staged in Miami Gardens from March 17 to March 29, 2026, on outdoor hard courts. It is one of the nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments on the men’s calendar, bringing together the sport’s highest-ranked players in a 96-player singles draw.

How the match unfolded

Cerúndolo’s performance featured pronounced shifts in control, with the Argentine taking the opening set 6–0. Medvedev responded by leveling the match 6–4 in the second set, forcing a decider. Cerúndolo then closed the contest with a 7–5 third set to complete the upset and secure a place in the fourth round.

Cerúndolo def. Medvedev: 6–0, 4–6, 7–5.

The scoreline reflected a match in which Cerúndolo built a large early advantage, Medvedev steadied his level to extend play, and the final set tightened into a late-stage finish. The third-set margin underscored how little separated the players after the opening set, with the contest ultimately decided by a single break of serve at the end.

Why it matters in the context of the tournament

Medvedev entered Miami with a track record as a past champion at the event (winning the title in 2023) and as one of the seeded contenders in the 2026 field. His exit in the third round alters the competitive landscape in his section of the bracket and opens a clearer pathway for remaining seeds and unseeded challengers.

For Cerúndolo, the win represents a significant hard-court result at a Masters 1000 level tournament and strengthens his position in a draw where seeds received byes into the second round. By reaching the fourth round, he adds another deep run in Miami to a tournament where he has previously demonstrated the ability to progress through high-level opposition.

Key takeaways

• Cerúndolo advanced to the fourth round by defeating Medvedev in three sets.
• The match featured an opening 6–0 set followed by two closer sets.
• Medvedev’s departure removes a former Miami champion from the 2026 men’s singles field.

Play continues in Miami through March 29, with the men’s singles title to be decided in the tournament’s final weekend at Hard Rock Stadium.