Medvedev, Alcaraz Roll Into Vienna, Basel Semifinals

The last two US Open champions remained alive this week at two different stops on the ATP circuit.

In Vienna, Daniil Medvedev moved into the semifinals cruising past Jannik Sinner 6-4, 6-2.

“Jannik is a top player, and he can pose problems to anybody basically,” said Medvedev. “The last two Grand Slams, he played five sets with the winner, so Jannik is a top player and I’m really happy today with my performance.

“I served amazingly well, I almost didn’t do any unforced errors, I was solid behind the baseline. Everything was working well today and I’m really happy about it.”

The Russian will now take on Grigor Dimitrov who won in three sets over Marcos Giron. Medvedev will clinch a Turin berth with a title.

“He is a top player, he can beat anybody,” said Medvedev of Dimitrov. “He was a Top Three player, making semis of Slams. Maybe more up and down this year, but when he is up he is amazing, so I just have to play my best tennis from my side and that’s how I can have the chance to win.”

Denis Shapovalov rolled into the semifinals with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Dan Evans. He’ll now take on Borna Coric who knocked out Hubert Hurkacz and his 28 aces 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-6(5). Coric upset Stefanos Tsitsipas yesterday in a final set breaker and he did it again on Friday.

“I don’t know,” said Coric of how he won. “He was serving absolute bombs, I’ve never seen that in my life. I was just hanging in there, focusing on my serve and trying to stay positive, because that’s the only thing that I could do, and then hope that in the tie-break I could make some returns.”

Hurkacz will have some work to do in Paris to have a chance to make Turin.

In Basel, World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz dominated Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-4.

“It is difficult to play against a friend like Pablo,” Alcaraz said to the crowd. “Every day we go and have dinner, lunch, together. Every week and we train together, so it is difficult to play against him. I also support him and want him to win every match. On court, there are no friends. You have to be focused and go for the match and that is what I did.”

Alcaraz will now face the red-hot Felix Auger-Aliassime who won his 12th straight match with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Alexander Bublik.

Roberto Bautista Agut ended Stan Wawrinka’s run with a 7-5, 7-6(5) win. He’ll meet Holger Rune tomorrow.

“It is going to be a really tough match,” Alcaraz said of the Canadian. “He is playing really well. He has had great victories this year. I will have to be really focused. I will try to show my best tennis against him.”

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