Daniil Medvedev is through into the last 16 at the Madrid Masters after a challenging day at the office. Daniil battled past world no. 96 Alexander Shevchenko 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 in two hours and 42 minutes for his milestone 300th ATP victory. Medvedev played better behind the second serve but struggled to break the rival’s resistance in sets one and three. Shevchenko made a perfect start and claimed the opener for a boost. Daniil responded nicely in the second and erased a 4-2 deficit in the decider to emerge at the top. Medvedev defended nine out 13 break points and delivered six breaks from 14 opportunities to prevail and survive on his least favorite surface. They had 30 winners and 50 unforced errors each, and Medvedev built the advantage in the shortest and most advanced exchanges. Alexander made a strong start and cracked a backhand down the line winner on the third break chance in the first game for an early advantage.
Daniil Medvedev defeated Alexander Shevchenko in three sets in Caja Magica.Ā
The lower-ranked player delivered another return game at 2-0 after Medvedev’s loose forehand to settle into a fine rhythm. Shevchenko held at 30 in game six for 5-1 and moved closer to the opener. Daniil faced two set points on serve in the seventh game and denied them to prolong the action. Medvedev pulled one break back in game eight to reduce the deficit to 5-3 and landed an ace in the next one. Alexander served for the set for the second time at 5-4 and landed a service winner to wrap up the opener after 51 minutes. Daniil saved two break points at the start of the second set and gained momentum.
He broke the rival in games two and four and held at 15 at 5-1 after Alexander’s wild forehand to introduce a decider. Shevchenko started all over in the final set and landed a drop shot winner in the second game for a 2-0 advantage. Medvedev pulled it back in the next one when world no. 96 sprayed a backhand error and held at love for 2-2. Shevchenko worked hard in the fifth game and denied three break points to remain on the positive side. Daniil squandered a 40-0 lead in the sixth game and missed a smash at the net to lose serve and fall 4-2 behind. Alexander landed a forehand wide in the next game to suffer a break and lose the advantage. Medvedev served at 3-4 and produced a crucial hold from 40-0 down to avoid another setback. Daniil fired a service winner in game ten to lock the result at 5-5 and extend the battle. World no. 3 broke at 11 in the 11th game and sealed the deal with a forehand crosscourt winner in the next one to secure a place in the last 16.Ā