Daniil Medvedev is into the quarterfinals of the Western and Southern Open being after beating Grigor Dimitrov in 6-2, 6-3 in one hour and 29 minutes.
The top seed hit 14 winners and served seven aces in the win while his opponent produced 34 unforced errors in the loss. It is Medvedev’s 39th win on the Tour this season and the third time he has beaten Dimitrov. Since the start of 2019, he has won more than 100 matches on hard courts.
“It was a great level of tennis and it was pretty hot today so I think it was tough for both of us,” said Medvedev.
“I am happy with the level of play in two sets and a great victory and perfect to be 100% ready for tomorrow.”
Dimitrov had the first chance to break in the match in the first game but the Russian was able to save it and hold serve. He then had another opportunity to break at 1-1 but was denied again by the world number two who in the following game went on the offensive getting the first break of the match to take a 3-1 lead.
Medvedev’s break didn’t last long as the world number 21 broke right back the following game with a stunning backhand winner to go back on serve but was broken the very next game once again.
The world number two served out the first set and the second was another battle as the Russian kept applying pressure on the Dimitrov serve but the Bulgarian would save two breakpoints in the opening game and hold serve.
At 2-2 the Russian had two more chances to break but again Dimitrov did a good job saving them. He would finally get the breakthrough at 3-3 and managed to consolidate the break and serve out the match.
After the match in his post-match press conference, Medvedev spoke about what made the difference in the match today between him and Dimitrov.
” Since we had so many long rallies so I think the two biggest differences was the serve where I was able to get more easy points and it made my life easier,” he said.
“I think I won more points when it was over nine shots and that’s what made the biggest difference in the match today”.
Medvedev awaits the winner of the third-round match between Hubert Hurkacz and Pablo Carreno Busta. He is bidding to become only the seventh player in the Open Era to have achieved the Cincinnati-Toronto double.
