Turin, November 16 (BUS): Defending champion Daniil Medvedev approached the semi-finals of the ATP Championship after defeating 2018 champion Alexander Zverev on Tuesday to claim two out of two wins in Turin.
Medvedev, who won the US Open in September with his first Grand Slam title, took just over two and a half hours to defeat Zverev 6-3, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (6) and level with the German. In a leading round 56 wins.
He leads the Red Group and will secure a place in the quarter-finals if first-time qualifier Hubert Hurkacz beats local favorite Matteo Berrettini later in the day on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.
Berrettini retired from the match against Zverev on Sunday apparently with an abdominal injury and if he is not fit enough, Yannick Sener, another Italian, could replace him as the number one substitute.
Aided by fast conditions inside Bala Albitur, Medvedev sent 14 aces and Zverev 18.
Medvedev has been in a fray from the start, saving a three-point break in his first two serve matches but also breaking Zverev to lead 3-0. The world number two went on to win the first set with a superb backhand down the line.
The win seemed timely in the second set as Medvedev lost only two points in his first five service matches. But Zverev held on and saved three break points to force a tiebreak that the German won.
In the deciding set, Medvedev had to save a break point to prevent Zverev from serving for the match, winning the tiebreak on the third match point when Zverev scored a backhand.
insult