Daniil Medvedev strolled into the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International on Wednesday after producing a serving masterclass against Frances Tiafoe.
The former world No.1 dropped just five games during his 6-3, 6-2 triumph over world No.30 Tiafoe. Medvedev was particularly effective behind his first serve, where he won 31 out of 34 points played. Overall, he produced 20 winners against 15 unforced errors.
“The court is pretty fast, so you need to serve well and I’m happy with how I served,” Medvedev said. “I feel like it was better than the first round. From the first point it puts a lot of pressure on your opponent, got a couple of good games on his serve. It was enough today, that’s how tennis is sometimes.”
Medvedev is chasing after his 22nd ATP title, but his first in Brisbane. His best run at the ATP 250 event was reaching the final seven years ago before losing to Kei Nishikori.
“I’m really happy with the way I played the two matches,” Medvedev said of his performances so far.
“It’s kind of continuing what I started doing at the end of the last year, already playing better and better.
“But these two matches (this week) I think were even better and I’m happy that some things I worked in the pre-season seemed to work here.”
Elsewhere, defending champion Jiri Lehecka has suffered a blow ahead of the Australian Open after being forced to retire from his match against Sebastian Korda due to an ankle injury. No further information has been issued about the severity of the injury, and it is unclear what impact it will have on the Czech’s preparation for the Grand Slam, which starts on January 18th.
Korda will next play compatriot Alex Michelsen, who beat Learner Tien in straight sets. Meanwhile, Medvedev faces either Reilly Opelka or Kamil Majchrzak.
