Medvedev marches past Fritz into Cincinnati semi-finals

Daniil Medvedev defeats Taylor Fritz in straight sets on Friday at the Cincinnati Masters. Medvedev awaits either Stefanos Tsitsipas or John Isner.

Daniil Medvedev at the 2022 Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati – © AI / Reuters / Panoramic

Ricky Dimon

August 19, 2022

World No 1 Daniil Medvedev continued to take care of business at the Western & Southern Open, as he ousted Taylor Fritz 7-6(1), 6-3 during quarter-final action at the Linder Tennis Family Center on Friday afternoon. Medvedev advanced to the semis — the first man to do so this week — after one hour and 37 minutes.

Cincinnati’s top seed and former champion blasted 18 aces in just two sets.

Serving his way into the semifinals 😎@DaniilMedwed defeats Fritz 7-6(1),6-3! #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/DsigNxBKSu
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) August 19, 2022

Medvedev saves three set points in opener

Fritz had the upper hand throughout the first set even though he ended up losing it. The 13th-ranked American generated break points in four different return games, including one set point with Medvedev serving at 4-5 and two more at 5-6. Time and time again, though, the top seed was up to the challenge.

After forcing a tiebreaker, Medvedev dominated it seven points to one and was off to the races.

Me and Taylor both serve good…even if we are not John (Isner)!
Daniil Medvedev

“Cincinnati is fast courts with fast balls,” the 26-year-old explained. “I’ve always liked it. But it’s always tricky matches, especially if there are two great servers. And Taylor and I both serve good, even if we are not John (Isner)!

“I knew that it was gonna be a tight match. For sure in the first set he was on top of me a little bit. He got many more chances than I did. There were some set points (for him), but I managed to stay in the set and that helped me win the match.”

Medvedev awaits either No 4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or unseeded John Isner.

It was still a productive tournament for Fritz, thus continuing what has been the best season of his career — which includes a title in Indian Wells and a quarter-final run at Wimbledon.

Honestly a lot of positives, played very solid, had my chances, didn’t take them 🤷🏻‍♂️ sometimes that’s how it goes. Too good from Daniil today but playing good going into @usopen https://t.co/gBfVvwqYmS
— Taylor Fritz (@Taylor_Fritz97) August 19, 2022