Medvedev Makes SFs, Tops Zverev While Alcaraz Eliminates Rublev At ATP Finals; Djokovic v Hurkacz

In a rematch of their 2021 ATP Finals title match, this time Daniil Medvedev got the better of Alexander Zverev 7-6(7), 6-4 to clinch a berth in the semifinals.

Medvedev, who is now 5-1 against Zverev this year and 11-7 overall, had to save two set points during a tight first set breaker. And later in the second a break point.

“It was a very tough match mentally,” Medvedev told the crowd. “I started very well, I was playing well. He was kind of not there yet, but at one moment he stepped up his game and at this moment, for whatever reason, I started playing a little bit worse for a short period of time.

“I’m happy that I managed to regroup and play better at the end of the first set. The end of both sets was very tight.

“In the tie-break he had set point on his serve. I’m happy because this year I might have lost some matches like this. I’m happy to be able to win.”

Zverev led 4-1 in the breaker with an easy chance for 5-1. But then ran of five of the next six points.

Earlier, Carlos Alcaraz eliminated Andrey Rubev 7-5, 6-2 to claim his first ATP Finals win.

“It was a totally different match and level from me. This is the level I have to play if I want to give myself a chance in this amazing tournament,” Alcaraz said to the ATP. “Yesterday was a good day for me in practice to find the level I needed to show today and I think I did pretty well. I am very happy with my level.”

The Spaniard must beat Medvedev on Friday to have a chance at making the weekend. Alcaraz is tied 2-2 with Russian having lost to him in the US Open semifinals.

“We’re going to try and use the US Open match as an example,” Alcaraz told the ATP. “I was mentally in the wrong place for a long time. That cannot happen against him. I will have to approach it differently. I know how he will play, so we’ll look at my strategy before the match.

“Medvedev is one of the best players in the world,” he said. “You have to play very well tactically, be patient and aggressive at the same time. It’s very difficult to beat him. You have to wait for the opportunity, but run and be calm, and get five or six shots in per point until the chance comes, while being aware that often it won’t.”

Tomorrow, Novak Djokovic returns off that tough loss to Jannik Sinner. Djokovic will take on Hubert Hurkacz who replaced the injured Stefanos Tsitsipas.

In the evening, Italian star Jannik Sinner takes on Holger Rune. All three players — Djokovic, Sinner and Rune — are bidding for the weekend. If Djokovic and Rune win, three players would be 2-1! No one had qualified for the semifinals from the Green Group.

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