By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday November 5, 2021
It will be a rematch of last year's Paris final on Saturday, as Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev both came through.
Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev will meet again in Paris – this time in the semifinals. Last year’s Rolex Paris Masters champion Medvedev and 2020 runner-up Zverev each came through in straight sets on Friday to set a tenth career encounter.
Medvedev pushed past French sensation Hugo Gaston and the full-throated roar of the Paris crowd, 7-6(4), 6-4, to stretch his winning streak to eight at Bercy.
In the nightcap, Zverev methodically marched past Casper Ruud, 7-5, 6-4, to stretch his current winning streak to eight.
It promises to be a thrilling encounter between the two talents, as Zverev is coming into his own in 2021 after winning Olympic gold and ripping off 28 victories in his last 30 matches.
Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion has been the consummate pro, and looks determined to make a run at a title defense. He was forced to fight hard on Friday against the disruptive game of Gaston, but saved three set points in the opening set (with Gaston serving at 5-4, 40-0) before holding off a late surge in set two by the Frenchman to earn his victory.
Medvedev admitted that luck played a role in his success on Friday. He also had high praise for the unique improvisational skills of Gaston. Praise from one unorthodox player to another:
“His dropshots are famous. It's not easy to run always forwards,” Medvedev said. “He's also able to put spin on the ball and to have also dropshots on the same ball. You never know what he's about to do, so it's not easy for your footwork. He's good on his return, and especially with the balls that are very slow, he likes it, because he has time to hit the balls well. This is what he likes to do. This is why he managed to go so far during this tournament.”
Zverev was confident as he stroke past Ruud and the stats bear that out. The German won all 21 points he played at net and doubled the amount of winners of Ruud, 33 to 16. He saved all three break points he faced and dropped just six first-serve points.
The German has won 55 matches on the season, and he’s playing with the confidence that comes with it.
Saturday’s semifinal should be something to watch, and another installment in a rivalry that has developed into a captivating study in two very different players with the same penchant for getting hot and staying hot.