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An in-form Daniil Medvedev made an impressive start at the Miami Masters. Daniil faced Roberto Carballes Baena in the second round and earned a 6-1, 6-2 triumph in 62 minutes for a place in the last 32. The Russian was too strong for the Spaniard, serving well and mounting the pressure on the other side.
Daniil defended the only break point he faced and grabbed four return games from as many opportunities to control the scoreboard. Medvedev hit 18 winners and 13 unforced errors, taming his strokes nicely and reducing Carballes Baena to five direct points.
The better-ranked opponent had the upper hand in the shortest and more advanced exchanges to emerge at the top in no time and make a winning start. Daniil kicked off the action with a hold at 15 in the encounter's first game with a service winner before Roberto responded with an ace in game two for 1-1.
Daniil Medvedev is off to a flying start in Miami.
The Spaniard created his only break point in the third game with a deep return, and the Russian denied it after the rival's loose forehand. Medvedev cracked a backhand down the line winner in the fourth game for two break chances and seized the first with a forehand crosscourt winner at the net for 3-1.
Daniil placed an ace on the T line in the fifth game for a hold at love and a 4-1 advantage. Firing from all cylinders, Medvedev grabbed another break in game six after Carballes Baena's backhand mistake and served for the set at 5-1.
Daniil held at 15 in game seven and made a reliable start to the second. Medvedev broke at love in the first game and clinched the second with a service winner for 6-1, 2-0 in 40 minutes. Carballes Baena played a crafty point in the fourth game to reach deuce on the return before Medvedev closed it with a drop shot winner for 3-1.
The Russian broke again in game five to extend the gap and held at 30 with a service winner to forge a 5-1 advantage and force the rival to serve to stay in the match. Roberto fired a service winner in the seventh game to bring it home and reduce the deficit to 5-2.
Daniil served for the victory in the eighth game and held at love with a smash winner at the net to emerge at the top in style and sail into the third round.