Medvedev Progress To Madrid Quarter-Final After Surviving Major Scare, Cachin Stuns Tiafoe
It was hard work under the Madrid sun, but Daniil Medvedev finally overcame compatriot Alexander Shevchenko at the Madrid Open in three wonderfully contested sets. Shevchenko, the world No. 96, had threatened a big shock when taking the first set, but eventually experience told as Medvedev won through to face either Alex de Minaur or Aslan Karatsev.
Daniil Medvedev survived a major scare against Alexander Shevchenko to progress into the last-16 of the Madrid Open after a 4-6 6-1 7-5 win.
Medvedev lost the first set to an impressive Shevchenko, who has recent form after winning last month’s Madrid Challenger event, as the 22-year-old looked at home on the big stage.
But Medvedev called on all his experience and court craft to win through. Talking on court afterwards, he praised Shevchenko and sees a bright future for him.
“He plays well, he’s young so I’m sure he’s going to go up the rankings, especially [if] he plays like this tournament,” Medvedev said.
“I’ve practiced with him before so I know that he can play very good. I’m very happy that I managed to beat him.
“I felt like I played well second and third set, and maybe the end of the first.
“The thing about clay – usually it’s tough for me to start matches for whatever reason. I need a lot of time to get used to everything that’s happening on the court.
“And the third set could be a little bit better in crucial moments – or maybe a lot better – but finally I won, so that counts also.”
Shevchenko stunned Medvedev by breaking in the first game at his third attempt, and the world no. 96 raced into a 4-0 lead, breaking Medvedev again in the third game.
The next four games all went to serve, but Medvedev had to stave off two set points in the seventh game at 5-1 down.
Medvedev managed to reduce the deficit further to 5-3 by breaking Shevchenko for the first time in the match and would go on to win the next game on his own serve.
However, Shevchenko subsequently held to 15 to win the opener 6-4.
There was to be a reaction though as Medvedev roared back in the second set
The 27-year-old was on course for a bagel after racing into a 5-0 lead and breaking Shevchenko twice in the process.
And he drew level in the contest at one set apiece when Shevchenko played a forehand long, with the world No. 3 looking back in the groove.
After a medical timeout with an apparent nosebleed, Medvedev was able to continue to play the decisive third set.
A break of serve each saw the pair level at 2-2 before a marathon fifth game that Shevchenko finally took after saving two break points.
After Medvedev spurned those chances, he was broken thereafter on his own serve, as his unheralded 22-year-old opponent threatened to pull off a monumental shock.
Medvedev immediately broke back but as the match swung one way and then the next, Shevchenko then brought up three more break points as the match looked suddenly within his grasp.
There was another twist though as Medvedev did miraculously to save all three, and went on to hold for 4-4.
4-4 became 5-5 as it became survival of the fittest under the scorching Madrid sun, and it was – perhaps unsurprisingly – the more experienced Medvedev who started to power ahead, breaking to go 6-5.
And though Medvedev – by now playing to the crowd – was down 15-30 in the next, he didn’t let it slip, taking the victory and a place in the last-16, where he will play Aslan Karatsev.
ROUND-UP: TIAFOE STUNNED BY CACHIN
Elsewhere in the Spanish capital, it was a disappointing day for ninth seed Frances Tiafoe, who was stunned by world No. 67 Pedro Cachin.
The Argentine, who reached the final of last month’s Madrid Challenger – losing to Shevchenko – came through 6-1 7-6(2).
He will play Jan-Lennard Struff in the last-16; one of the most unexpected match-ups of the tournament.
Struff saw off Dusan Lajovic in a tight three-setter 6-7(2) 6-3 6-3.
Facing Medvedev in the next round will be Karatsev, who beat Alex de Minaur 6-3 4-6 6-4.
