MIAMI: Top-seeded Daniil Medvedev hobbled into the fourth round of the Miami Open on Sunday, defying crippling leg cramps to beat Australian Alexei Popyrin 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (7/9), 6-4.
World No. 2 Medvedev, increasingly hampered as the third set wore on in the heat and humidity of South Florida, nevertheless mustered the only service break of the third set on the way to a dramatic victory over 86th-ranked Popyrin.
“It’s probably one of the sweetest victories in my career, because I was cramping like hell in the third set,” Medvedev said on court as he limped in circles seeking relief.
“It’s difficult to think about victory when you’re cramping. At…
