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By Alberto Amalfi | Friday, August 19, 2022

 
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World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev saved six break points, including three set points, beating Taylor Fritz 7-6(1), 6-3 to reach his first Masters semifinal of 2022 in Cincinnati.

Photo credit: Getty

Patience and precision are assets fueling Daniil Medvedev.

Medvedev exhibited mind-blowing court coverage and a sledgehammer serve to move on in Cincinnati today.

Fritz: ATP Dumb Coaching Rule

World No. 1 Medvedev saved three set points, fending off American No. 1 Taylor Fritz 7-6(1), 6-3 to power into his first Masters 1000 semifinal of the season in Cincinnati.




The 2019 Cincinnati champion scored his 13th consecutive win over an American improving to 14-4 lifetime in the Queen City.

Medvedev will meet either fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas or 2013 finalist John Isner for a spot in Sunday's final.

This first meeting between Medvedev and Fritz saw both men manage serve effectively throughout a tight first set. Medvedev's fiery flat first serve helped him pass stress tests. Medvedev slammed 18 aces compared to two for Fritz and saved all six break points he faced in a one hour, 37 minute triumph.

The 13th-ranked Fritz fell to 0-6 vs. reigning world No. 1 with five of his six losses coming against Novak Djokovic.

Tremendous defensive digs from Fritz extended the point and gave Medvedev the opportunity to overhit a forehand to face a fourth break point and set point. Then it was the top seed's turn to showcase his defense. Some determined gets prolonged the point, Fritz moved in for the kill shot, but over-hit his trusty two-hander to let Medvedev off the hook.




The US Open champion pumped his sixth ace as he held to level after 10 games.

Tennis Express

Indian Wells champion Fritz tightened the screws again in the 12th game.

Serving at 5-6, Medvedev saved a second set point. A double fault gave Fritz a third set point. Medvedev swooped in to snap off a high forehand volley and save it.

A bold 127 mph second serve ace and an errant Fritz backhand helped Medvedev hold firm through a 14-point game to force the tiebreaker.

Pounding down a pair of aces, Medvedev exploited a Fritz double fault and error for 4-1. A flying high forehand volley and serve winner gave Medvedev a fistful of set points. He needed only one fighting through a tense 64-minute opening set on a Fritz error.

The lanky Russian owns such an expansive reach and can operate so deep in the court, sneaking a shot by him on the baseline can seem about as easy as hurdling the back blue wall in a single bound.




In an extended point, Fritz fired everything he could at Medvedev, who was careening so far off the court at one point he could have punched the Rolex clock. Sneakers squealing, Medvedev repelled a series of high-quality shots with some outrageous gets finally coaxing an error to earn an exuberant break for 2-0.




The Australian Open finalist backed up the break and never looked back raising his 2022 record to 34-11.

Medvedev has already secured the top seed for this month's US Open. Now he sets his sights on his second Cincinnati title and second title of the season this weekend. 


 

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