Daniil Medvedev is into the semi-finals of a Masters 1000 event for the first time this year after a 7-6(1) 6-3 victory over Taylor Fritz.
The world number one was too resilient for the impressive American as he reached the last four at a Masters 1000 event for the first time this year.
Medvedev had to survive a wall of aggression from Fritz and was forced to save all six points faced before the world number one proved why he is the best player in the world.
After the match Medvedev admitted it was a tricky match but was pleased to reach the last four in Cincinnati, “Cincinnati fast courts and fast balls and I have always liked it. But always tricky matches, especially between two great servers,” Medvedev admitted to the ATP website.
“I feel like me and Taylor served good, even if we aren’t John [Isner] maybe! I knew that it was going to be a tight match. The first set he was on top of me a little bit. He had many more chances than I did on my serve, but I managed to stay in.
“There were some set points where I could have missed and no one would have talked about it, it would have been normal. But I managed to stay in the set and that helped me win the match.”
Medvedev is now 14-4 at the hard court event and clearly enjoys playing in Cincinnati having won the title in 2019 as well as reaching the semi-finals last season.
Another record that Medvedev can boast is that he is 20-6 in tiebreaks at Masters 1000 level this season and that is something he is very proud of, “That is great because tie-breaks are a fine thing,” Medvedev said.
“We call it a lottery and I do think it is this way a little bit. I remember when I had the crazy run in 2019. I think someone told me once that I won a lot of tie-breaks in a row.
“I don’t know if it was eight or 12, so I was like, ‘That is cool.’ I just try to do my best and win every point. You win some and lose some. But 20-6 is a good record, so I am happy about it.”
Medvedev will aim to continue his US Open preparations on Saturday when he takes on Stefanos Tsitsipas or John Isner in the semi-finals.
Should the Russian win he will reach his fifth final of the season after finals at the Australian Open, S-Hertogenbosch, Halle and Los Cabos.
