Medvedev slips, Osaka to meet Swiatek in final

Daniil Medvedev during his defeat to Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz on Thursday. Pic/Getty Images

Poland's Hubert Hurkacz, 25, stunned World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev 7-6(7), 6-3 in the quarter-finals of the Miami Open, ending the Russian's hopes of retaining the No.1

Medvedev spent three weeks as World No. 1 from February 28 to March 21 this year before relinquishing the spot to Serbian Novak Djokovic. Victory over Hurkacz would have moved Medvedev back to the summit on Monday.

Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka

"The returns were crucial. I was able to make a lot of returns and get some free points on my serve, because having rallies with Daniil is fun, but they get long. I have spent a lot of time in Florida, so I am used to the humidity. I think the conditions were in my favour today, so I tried to use them," Hurkacz said after his win.

Meanwhile, Polish ace Iga Swiatek held off Jessica Pegula of USA 6-2, 7-5 to win her 16th straight match and make the Miami Open final. Swiatek, who will be the new World No. 1 on Monday when the rankings are released, will take on former World No.1 Naomi Osaka of Japan in an exciting battle for the title.

Osaka defeated Belinda Bencic of Switzerland 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 for the first time at a tour-level event.

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