Cincinnati Medvedev is gaining momentum

Cincinnati: Medvedev is gaining momentum

Daniil Medvedev is gaining momentum ten days before the US Open where he will defend his title: the world No. 1, very solid, relegated the American Taylor Fritz (13e) to advance to the semifinals of the Cincinnati Masters 1000, where he lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas (7th).e).

• Also read: Out for “FAA” in Cincinnati

Medvedev, who was denied Wimbledon because of his nationality in connection with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has to back-to-back games in Montreal, from the Australian Nick Kyrgios.

It’s clear he’s working in earnest in Ohio after that win 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, third in straight sets which is also the most convincing, at the expense of Taylor Fritz, a client on American cement since winning the Indian Wells Masters 1000.

“I’m happy with my tennis. If I can keep playing like this and above all increase my level during the game, I can beat anyone,” said Medvedev.

Clinically, he snuffed out the zeal of the talented American, who had his back against the wall several times in the first heat.

iron tusk

The Russian had to save no fewer than six break points, three of which were set points, thanks to an ironclad defense that gave his opponent a miss almost every time.

He then made the tie break his own and set up a wall again against Fritz, the author of two unforced errors on serve that allowed Medvedev to break away 5-1 and then pocket the opener.

“He took over me a bit and I didn’t really have any chances on his serve. But I managed to stay in the match, win the decisive game and that helped me to assert myself,” summarized the Russian.

He tightened the noose a bit, which still made Fritz disgusting with his defense and efficient serve (18 aces). His rival, broken from the start, never knew how to get back into the game.

Meedvedev finds the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, against whom he leads 7 to 2 wins and who ended up almost 7: 6 (7/5), 5: 7, 6: 3 ahead of the American John Isner (50th).

With 7: 6 (7/5), 5: 7, 6: 3, the Greek had to prevail against the American John Isner (50th), who was still just as heavy on serves (18 aces) and only lost once, the only one Opportunity presented to his rival when the score was 4-3 in the final set.

Norrie breast Alcaraz

The other semi-final will come against the surprising Croatian Borna Coric (152nd), scorer 6: 4, 6: 4 by Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, after losing to Rafael Nadal in the 2nd round, against Cameron Norrie (11th). until the end 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (4/7), 6-4 by Carlos Alcaraz (4th).

The Briton emerged victorious from a terrific duel that resulted in some of the finest exchanges of blows of the tournament, between full-throttle rallies and duels in flight. He trailed 3-1 in the final set but broke away immediately before taking on the Spaniard 5-4, only to finish in just over three hours.

In the women’s game, Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (7th), who lost to China’s Shuai Zhang (44th) 6: 4, 7: 6 (7: 1), meets Caroline Garcia (35th) in the semifinals with an impressive performance she defeated the American Jessica Pegula (8th) 6:1, 7:5.

Very aggressive, effective on the return (59% of points gained), Garcia was impregnable in the first set and won in 28 minutes.

The second round was closer. In the 11th game, Garcia unleashed powerful returns on opposing second balls, resulting in a foul by Pegula. Break in hand, then she closed the deal on her serve.

The other poster of the last four meets Madison Keys (24th) against Petra Kvitova (28th).

The American, winner of the 2019 event, defeated Kazakh Elena Rybakina (25th) 6-2, 6-4.

The Czech sent the Australian Ajla Tomljanovic (63rd) just as easily 6: 2, 6: 3.