(Turin) Defending champion Daniil Medvedev maintained his perfect record after two games and approached the quarterfinal at the ATP Finals on Tuesday after defeating 2018 tournament champion Alexander Zverev.
Medvedev, who earned his first career major title after winning the US Open in September, took more than two and a half hours to defeat Zverev 6-3, 6-7 (3), 7- 6 (6). At the same time, he joined the German at the top of the ATP with 56 victories so far this season.
The Russian dominates the Red group and could win his pass to the semi-finals if the Polish Hubert Hurkacz defeats the local favorite, Matteo Berrettini, at the end of the day on Tuesday.
Berrettini had to throw the towel against Zverev on Sunday due to an abdominal injury and, if he is not sufficiently recovered, then he could be replaced by Jannik Sinner, another Italian tennis player, who is the first reservist. in contention.
Favored by the fast surface of the Pala Alpitour, Medvedev notched 14 aces, against 18 for the German.
Medvedev had to struggle from the start, and he avoided three break points in his first two games on serve. He then broke Zverev to take control of the 3-0 set. The world No. 2 sealed the outcome of the first set by shooting a sublime backhand along the line.
Medvedev appeared to be heading for victory in the second set after conceding just two points in his first five games on serve. Zverev, however, hung on and saved three breakage balls to cause the holding of a final round.
During the third inning, Medvedev had to save a breakage ball to prevent Zverev from serving for the match, and he won the tiebreaker on his third match point – when the German hit his backhand straight into the net. .