ATP Finals debutant Carlos Alcaraz has sealed his place in the semi-finals with a straight-sets win over Daniil Medvedev.
The two-time Grand Slam winner produced some of his best tennis to beat the Russian 6-4, 6-4. Handing Medvedev his first defeat in the tournament this year. Despite having reservations about the court speed in Turin, Alcaraz appears to be finding his footing on the surface after hitting 20 winners and winning 76% of his first serves in his latest match.
“The most important thing that I did today was to stay mentally strong,” Alcaraz told TennisTV afterward. “I was struggling with my serve a little bit during a few games. You know, his return game is amazing and he puts so much pressure on your serve.’
“So I had to stay strong and calm in those moments which was the key to giving me a chance to win this match.”
Seeking to avenge his loss to Medvedev at the US Open a couple of months ago, Alcaraz was tested early on in their latest clash. In the fourth game, the Spaniard was forced to save two break points en route to drawing level at 2-2. Gaining momentum, the world No.2 then struck with the help of a seven-point winning streak that ended with him hitting a backhand passing shot to break his rival for a 4-3 lead. That proved to be decisive in the opener with Alcaraz closing it out with his 12th winner of the match.
Continuing to pile pressure on a heavy-hitting Medvedev, Alcaraz had three opportunities to break early on in the second frame but failed to capitalize. Then at 4-4, he handed another blow to his rival who hit a double fault to grant him the break and the chance to serve out the match. A task he did with relative ease, closing it out with a love service game.
Despite losing, Medvedev has already sealed his place in the last four regardless of how Alexander Zverev fairs against Andrew Rublev in the night match. However, he has finished second in the group behind Alcaraz.
In the semi-finals, Alcaraz will lock horns with Novak Djokovic for a place in the title match. Meanwhile, Medvedev faces a resurgent Jannik Sinner. It is only the fourth time since 1990 that the top four players in the draw have all progressed to the semi-final stage of the tournament.
“It’s one of the most difficult challenges that I am going to face,” Alcaraz commented on his upcoming Showdown with Djokovic. “Facing Novak is a tournament he has won six times. Novak is Novak, he is the best player in the world right now. He just lost six matches this year. He’s unbelievable.’
“I’m going to play my best tennis and enjoy it the same way I have done in the past few matches. I’m excited to play Novak.”
Alcaraz has now recorded 11 wins over top 10 players so far this season.
