Daniil Medvedev called the supervisor during his Madrid Masters round-of-16 match and ranted about being “disadvantaged” and not respected enough as the second-seeded player at Caja Magica. On Tuesday, 121st-ranked Karatsev upset fellow Russian Medvedev 7-6 (1) 6-4.
The match was played at Arantxa Sanchez Stadium – the second biggest in Madrid. After losing a tight first set, Medvedev complained about the lack of space he was having on the return. “Yesterday when I returned, I can choose my position.
Why do I have this disadvantage if I’m No 2 [seed] playing the best category [event] on the ATP Tour, on the second court of the tournament. Is this normal?” Medvedev told the supervisor.
How Karatsev beat Medvedev?
Medvedev earned the first break of the match in the third game but his lead was short-lived as Karatsev broke back immediately in the fourth game.
As no more breaks were seen in the first set, the opener had to be resolved in a tie-break. In the tie-break, Karatsev was up 2-1 before winning the next five points to seal the first set. After winning a tight first set, Karatsev also broke Medvedev in the fifth game of the second set.
Up by a set and a break, Karatsev then held on to his service for the remainder of the match to complete a two-set win. “I’m feeling great, playing well. I just have to focus every match, so I will be prepared for the next one.
[Against top players] you just concentrate more, you have to be 100 per cent, you have to focus more because they do not give you any free points. You have to be consistent and mentally tough, so I think I’m doing well,” Karatsev said after beating Medvedev.
After struggling with his game in 2022, Karatsev is finally playing well again as the Russian has made his maiden Masters quarterfinal in Madrid as a qualifier. “I was struggling last year. I’m really happy with my game [now], so well see what [happens next],” Karatsev said.
