<p>Top-seeded Daniil Medvedev defied crippling leg cramps to hobble into the fourth round of the Miami Open on Sunday with a gritty 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (7/9), 6-4 victory over Alexei Popyrin.</p>.<p>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 of Australia.</p>.<p>"It's probably one of the sweetest victories in my career," Medvedev said on court as he limped in circles seeking relief.</p>.<p>"It's difficult to think about victory when you're cramping. I should have won in two sets and there would not have been cramping."</p>.<p>Medvedev had certainly appeared to be cruising to the finish line when he seized a 5-2 lead in the second.</p>.<p>Popyrin held serve for 5-3, but since Medvedev hadn't faced a break point in the match another hold seemed a mere formality.</p>.<p>Instead, Medvedev was shockingly broken at love in a game that featured a double fault and three superb forehand winners from Popyrin -- including a stinging cross-court return on break point.</p>.<p>Medvedev appeared to have righted the ship, however, as Popyrin promptly fell 0-40 down in the next game.</p>.<p>But an ace, a service winner and a forehand long from Medvedev erased three match points, Popyrin holding to push the set toward the tiebreaker.</p>.<p>Medvedev briefly got his nose in front in the decider with a point for 5-4, and he saved two set points before Popyrin leveled the match with another forehand winner on his third set point.</p>.<p>By then, Medvedev was feeling the strain, requesting additional electrolyte drinks and seeking what relief trainers could provide with massage on the changeovers, with no medical time out allowed for cramping.</p>.<p>The Russian, runner-up to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open in February, will face either 16th-seeded Dusan Lajovic of Serbia or American Frances Tiafoe for a place in the quarter-finals of the prestigious ATP Masters and WTA hardcourt tournament.</p>
<p>Top-seeded Daniil Medvedev defied crippling leg cramps to hobble into the fourth round of the Miami Open on Sunday with a gritty 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (7/9), 6-4 victory over Alexei Popyrin.</p>.<p>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 of Australia.</p>.<p>"It's probably one of the sweetest victories in my career," Medvedev said on court as he limped in circles seeking relief.</p>.<p>"It's difficult to think about victory when you're cramping. I should have won in two sets and there would not have been cramping."</p>.<p>Medvedev had certainly appeared to be cruising to the finish line when he seized a 5-2 lead in the second.</p>.<p>Popyrin held serve for 5-3, but since Medvedev hadn't faced a break point in the match another hold seemed a mere formality.</p>.<p>Instead, Medvedev was shockingly broken at love in a game that featured a double fault and three superb forehand winners from Popyrin -- including a stinging cross-court return on break point.</p>.<p>Medvedev appeared to have righted the ship, however, as Popyrin promptly fell 0-40 down in the next game.</p>.<p>But an ace, a service winner and a forehand long from Medvedev erased three match points, Popyrin holding to push the set toward the tiebreaker.</p>.<p>Medvedev briefly got his nose in front in the decider with a point for 5-4, and he saved two set points before Popyrin leveled the match with another forehand winner on his third set point.</p>.<p>By then, Medvedev was feeling the strain, requesting additional electrolyte drinks and seeking what relief trainers could provide with massage on the changeovers, with no medical time out allowed for cramping.</p>.<p>The Russian, runner-up to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open in February, will face either 16th-seeded Dusan Lajovic of Serbia or American Frances Tiafoe for a place in the quarter-finals of the prestigious ATP Masters and WTA hardcourt tournament.</p>