Agencies-Gaza post
Medvedev faces a tough American test
The world number one secured a place in the quarterfinals at the Cincinnati Masters by beating Denis Shapovalov
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev is through to the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Masters on Thursday after beating Canada’s Denis Shapovalov in straight sets. Medvedev meets American Taylor Fritz in the next round of the prestigious ATP hard court event.
Rafael Nadal’s second-round elimination in Cincinnati earlier this week meant Medvedev’s status as world no.
But Medvedev, 26, will be aiming to head to Flushing Meadows on a high and secured the win over Shapovalov 7-5, 7-5 in a contest that lasted an hour and 45 minutes.
Medvedev secured the first break of serve in game three of the opening set, although Shapovalov later broke back to level the set 4-4.
Medvedev managed another break on serve from Shapovalov in a long game 11 that lasted 15 points before serving the set.
There was only one break of serve in the second set as Medvedev made the winning move in game 11, serving to seal the match in the next game.
The Russian top seed said he was generally satisfied with his day-to-day work against his 23-year-old rival.
“The match was pretty close. I felt it was a great level” Medvedev said after the game on the pitch.
“My goal was to get every possible point to stay there and try to put pressure on him when I had the chance.
“But there were a lot of points where I was just running across the baseline trying to get his shots back. Generally happy with the level.”
Next, Medvedev meets No. 11 seed Fritz, who secured his place in the quarterfinals with a three-set win over Russia’s Andrey Rublev in their match on Thursday.
Fritz clinched the Indian Wells Masters 1000 title earlier this season and the 24-year-old is seen as a growing threat to his rivals higher up the rankings.
“Taylor is a great player. We’ve met a few times. We had one session before the ATP Cup and I think he beat me, which doesn’t really matter.” said Medvedev.
“But I said to my coach, ‘Wow, he can play really well, it can be a good year for him.’ Then he won Indian Wells.
“Maybe he could have done better in some other tournaments, but he’s a Masters champion. He’s a great player and I have to do my best to beat him.”
Medvedev is targeting a second ATP title of the season after winning the Los Cabos Open in Mexico earlier in August.
