Sublime 👏@DaniilMedwed reaches the @ATPHalle semi-finals with a solid 6-2 6-4 victory over Bautista Agut! pic.twitter.com/XlVzmFPHlP
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 17, 2022
With the one-hour, 27-minute victory, Medvedev finally clinched his maiden victory against the Spaniard in four attempts. A combination of power and accuracy with his delivery helped the top seed save nine from nine break points against the Spaniard, bringing his tournament total to 17 out of 17 break points saved across three matches.
“Well first of all, he’s a great player!” said Medvedev when asked about his past struggles against Bautista Agut. “I remember all the matches we had… He was playing some [great] tennis and it was tough for me to win. Today I had my plan, managed to keep it going. Definitely got more edge on the most important points, because he had more break points than me. It was not easy, and I’m happy to win.”
A high-quality start saw both players fend off a break point to hold in the early stages, but from 2-2 it was Medvedev who stepped up to take command. The World No. 1 reeled off four consecutive game to take the first set.
In the second game with some top-quality all-court play, but could not find the finishing touch. He also missed out after leading 0/40 in the eighth game and was paid to pay by the World No. 1, who converted his sole break point of the set at 3-3 to claim a decisive break.
Medvedev will now chase a 25th tour-level championship match appearance in a semi-final clash against Oscar Otte, after the home favourite earlier defeated eighth seed Karen Khachanov, 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4.