“A very good test of where my game is at” – Andy Murray is up for the Daniil Medvedev challenge

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Sarbik Dutta

Andy Murray is set to take on the top seed, Medvedev in the second round of Miami Open 2022

Andy Murray put up a vintage display of tennis against Federico Delbonis in the opening round of the Miami Masters to win 7-6, 6-1 and set up a clash against Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev is the current World No.2 and the top seed in the tournament and received a ‘Bye’ in the opening round thanks to his superior seeding.

Speaking after his match on the prospect of facing Medvedev, Murray said, “Of course in the last few seasons, he deserves to be right up there. A big challenge, a very good test of where my game is at and things that I need to work on as well against him, so looking forward to that.”

Andy Murray is nowhere near his prime and will certainly face an uphill task against Medvedev. The 34-year old has played a number of tournaments in 2022 but has lost to younger players in the early rounds of most of the events. His best run at a tournament this year came at the Sydney International when he made it to the finals of the tournament defeating higher seeds like Reilly Opelka and David Goffin in the process but eventually lost to the top seed Aslan Karatsev in the final.

Quite contrary to Murray, who is in the twilight of his career Medvedev is right now at his peak and will be determined to get back to the top spot in the ATP rankings.

Daniil Medvedev recently lost his World No.1 ranking

Medvedev suffered a shock loss to Gael Monfils at the Indian Wells Masters. The result meant Novak Djokovic is back as the World No. 1. Medvedev had dethroned Djokovic to take the top spot but lost it to the Serbian after a brief stay. Monfils came back from a set down to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 against Medvedev at the Indian Wells.

Daniil Medvedev became World No. 1 after Novak Djokovic lost in the quarter-final of the Dubai Tennis Championships. Medvedev himself lost the semi final of the Mexican Open to Rafael Nadal. However, a loss for the Serbian earlier meant Medvedev’s loss didn’t stop him from becoming No. 1.

Daniil Medvedev will be looking for his second Grand Slam
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 28: Daniil Medvedev of Russia celebrates after winning his Men’s Singles semi-final match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during day 12 of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Medvedev became the first man outside the Big Four (Djokovic, Nadal, Federer and Murray) to be crowned No. 1 since 2004. The sheer dominance by these 4 players over the years is unparalleled to any era. Djokovic was No. 1 was for a record 361 cumulative weeks.

Fans would be expecting a fascinating encounter between two players who know what it takes to be on the throne of men’s tennis!

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