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World no.3 Daniil Medvedev is the first player who has qualified for the ATP Finals semi-final. Daniil moved 2-0 in the Red Group following a tight 7-6, 6-4 triumph over his old rival Alexander Zverev in an hour and 45 minutes.
On Friday, Zverev and Alcaraz will determine the second semi-finalist from this part of the draw. The German erased the deficit in the opener and forced a tie break, squandering two set points and losing it 9-7. The Russian prevailed in the second set’s closing stages, sealing the deal in straight sets and moving into the next round.
Daniil won nine points more than Alexander, defending three out of four break points and stealing the rival’s serve two times from as many chances. Zverev was the more aggressive player, rushing to the net and hitting 24 winners and unforced errors.
Medvedev also tamed his strokes nicely and overpowered Zverev in the shortest range up to four strokes. The Russian defended well in the encounter’s first game, firing a forehand down the line winner and securing a break at 15.
Daniil Medvedev is through into the last four in Turin.
Medvedev confirmed the lead with a service winner in game two and held at love two games later for 3-1. Daniil faced issues on serve in the sixth game and faced three break points.
Alexander seized the last after his rival’s loose backhand, leveling the score at 3-3. Both players served well in the remaining six games on the fast indoor court, introducing a tie break after Daniil’s backhand down the line winner in game 12.
The German grabbed an early mini-break and forged a 4-1 advantage with a powerful forehand winner. Medvedev climbed back and leveled the score at 4-4 after forcing Zverev’s mistake. Alexander netted a forehand on the first set point at 6-5, and Daniil saved the second at 6-7 with a service winner.
The Russian created the first set point at 7-7 and seized it after the German’s volley error at the net, prevailing after 62 minutes. They barely lost a couple of points behind the initial shot in the second set’s opening eight games, staying neck and neck at 4-4.
Medvedev played against a break point in the ninth game and denied it after Zverev’s loose backhand. Daniil held and kept the pressure on the other side. Alexander could not endure it after missing that chance, facing a match point after Daniil’s backhand down the line winner.
Zverev sprayed a massive forehand mistake to hit the exit door and propel Medvedev into the last four.
