Hubert Hurkacz of Poland returns a serve to Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia at the Miami Open in Florida, U.S., March 25, 2023. /CFP
Hubert Hurkacz saved five match points as he fought back to beat Thanasi Kokkinakis in a 3.5-hour epic while fourth seed Daniil Medvedev got his Miami Open bid under way with an easy win on Saturday.
Hurkacz was pushed all the way by the Australian lucky loser Kokkinakis before emerging with a 6-7 (10-12), 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (8-6) victory.
The Australian had shown his mettle by saving six set points as he won the first-set tie-break and Hurkacz, the 2021 Miami champion, saved three match points in the second-set tie-break and another two in the final-set breaker.
"It's tough to explain for me. I knew I was playing good tennis, I mean Thanasi was as well," eighth seed Hurkacz said directly after his win.
"I was just trying to stay in there and compete, play some good shots. Either way, if I won or I lost – obviously I wanted to win so, so much – but either way I should have been happy with myself."
Daniil Medvedev of Russia celebrates a point against Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain during the Miami Open in Florida, U.S., March 25, 2023. /CFP
In contrast, Indian Wells runner-up Medvedev barely broke sweat beating Spanish clay-court specialist Roberto Carballes Baena 6-1, 6-2 in just 62 minutes.
The Russian's loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the Indian Wells final had ended his 19-match winning streak, but he was totally dominant as he struck 18 winners to Baena's five.
Medvedev had won three consecutive titles in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai before losing to Alcaraz. He now faces Slovakian world No. 56 Alex Molcan, who defeated Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka 7-6, 1-6, 6-2.
Czech Jiri Lehecka's impressive form continued as he took out 18th seed Lorenzo Musetti.
The 21-year-old, who reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final in Australia, triumphed 6-4, 6-4 to reach the third round of a Masters 1000 event for the first time.
Frances Tiafoe of the United States celebrates a point during the match against Yosuke Watanuki of Japan during the Miami Open in Florida, U.S., March 25, 2023. /CFP
Meanwhile, home rising star Francis Tiafoe came from a set down to defeat Japan's Yosuke Watanuki.
The 24-year-old Watanuki, ranked 123rd, used his powerful forehand to great effect, blasting 55 winners and peppering Tiafoe from the baseline.
"He was playing lights out and I was on the back foot a lot," said 12th seed Tiafoe after his 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 win.
Two-time Grand Slam runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas advanced into the third round after France's Richard Gasquet withdrew with an ankle injury.
Greek No. 2 seed Tsitsipas, will next face Chile's Cristian Garin, who beat Argentine Sebastian Baez 7-6 (7-2), 6-3.
Tsitsipas was runner-up at this year's Australian Open and the 2021 French Open but lost his opening round match at Indian Wells earlier this month.
British duo Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans are both out after losing to France's Gregoire Barrere 6-3, 6-2 and Italian Lorenzo Soneg 6-4, 3-6, 2-6, respectively.
(With input from agencies)