World number one in waiting Daniil Medvedev blew past the experienced Spaniard of Pablo Andújar on day 3 of the Mexican Open.
Andújar was simply no match for Medvedev who powered into the quarter-finals in Acapulco, 6-1, 6-2.
In typical Medvedev fashion, the serve was strong, mixed with slices, drop shots and even a fine lob at the beginning of the second set, demonstrated all of the weapons he has at his disposal.
A big smile on his face after the match showed how much the victory meant to him.
Afterwards, I asked Daniil, what it was about Pablo that has made one of the most respected players on the ATP Tour.
“I managed to serve well, return well, so it was not easy for him,” he said.
“But the way he fought; I saw this in other matches last year. When he beat Roger (Federer) in Geneva being a set down, and two sets down against Dominic (Thiem) at the French Open, in back-to-back tournaments.
“That’s what I think everyone respects the most about Pablo. His fighting spirit. He’s a really nice guy outside the court. Speaks a lot of languages. Big fighter, big heart on the tennis court,” he said.
“I think fans always love him. Even at the end of the match, he’s losing, but we’re still having a fun time.”
It was Rafa Nadal’s turn to take to Stadium, as he blew America’s Stefan Kozlov to pieces in the opening set with a 6-0 bagel.
An array of powerful forehand groundstrokes and sumptuous volleys giving him the edge.
However, there was a twist in the tale, as the world number 130 broke back at 4-2 down in the second set, winning eight out of 10 points at one stage.
There was just a mere blip for the 21-time-Grand Slam champion, possibly due to heat or loss of concentration, as he secured a break of his own.
The Spaniard then made no mistake in serving out to love for a 6-0, 6-3 victory and a place in the last eight.
It marked a 12th consecutive win for Nadal. A 12-0 unbeaten start to the season. This is the first time in his career, at the tender age of 35, he has achieved such a feat.
Joining Nadal and Medvedev was Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, who hasn’t seemed to mind the two taking the limelight, as his title bid floats below the radar.
He was the quickest winner of the night as he annihilated American J.J. Wolf in just 48 minutes, winning 6-1, 6-0.
British hope Cameron Norrie backed up Tuesday’s win over Daniel Altmaier, with a hard fought 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 6-4 victory over experienced American, John Isner.
He will play German Peter Gojowczyk in the quarter-finals, after he received a walkover following the expulsion of Alexander Zverev, after his violent outburst at umpire Alessandro Germani.
An official ban from the ATP Tour is now pending according to sources.
There were however, three minor shocks, as American Tommy Paul set up a match with Nadal, after he stunned Serbia’s Dušan Lajović, 7-6 (8-6), 2-6, 7-5.
It was a mixed night for American tennis, but another upset saw Marcos Giron take out the eighth seed, Pablo Carreño Busta, as the Spaniard went down, 6-7 (7-9), 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).
Another seed fell in America’s Taylor Fritz, as the seventh seed surprisingly lost to Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.
The Japanese qualifier faces Medvedev next.
Quarter-final draw as follows:
Medvedev vs Nishioka
Nadal vs Paul
Giron vs Tsitsipas
Norrie vs Gojowczyk
James Spencer (@jspencer28) predictions:
From what I’ve seen this tournament, I’m going for: Medvedev, Nadal, Tsitsipas and Norrie to lock in the semi-finals.
I then think Medvedev will want sweet revenge after the final in Melbourne.
Fatigue could be a problem for Norrie after his excursions in winning Delray Beach, just a few days ago.
I then think Medvedev will edge Tsitsipas in a thrilling final, but let’s see.
