Alex de Minaur has emerged as a real US Open title risk after persevering with his career-best run with a shocking defeat of former Flushing Meadows champion Daniil Medvedev.
The Australian No.1 displayed his preventing qualities for the second day working to achieve his first ATP Masters 1000 semi-final with a 7-6 (9-7) 7-5 win over top-seed Medvedev in Toronto.
After preventing again from 5-1 within the first set in his earlier match towards world No.9 Taylor Fritz, de Minaur confirmed related powers of restoration towards Medvedev.
Contesting his maiden Masters 1000 quarter-final, de Minaur rallied from 5-2 within the first set, saving three set factors within the tiebreak earlier than clinching the opener.
He then twice rallied from a break down within the second set to inflict simply the fourth hard-court defeat of the season on Medvedev, the previous world No.1 who lifted the trophy in Toronto in 2021.
The 24-year-old Sydneysider, who additionally defeated seed Cameron Norrie earlier this week, has now notched 4 top-five wins and can proceed the hunt for an eighth tour-level title and the most important of his profession towards Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Saturday.
“I had to play some of my best tennis today, it has been a great week for me so far,” mentioned de Minaur.
“I played the right way today. I think having played him at the end of last year gave me the confidence that I had a chance.
“I simply needed to play the precise approach and I’m extraordinarily pleased with the trouble and to nonetheless be alive.”
De Minaur snared his seventh crown in Acapulco earlier this year before reaching the final last week in Los Cabos, losing to world No.4 Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The world No.18 is also set to rise to a career-best 14th in the rankings next week – at least – and could wind up on the cusp of the top 10 if he wins the title.
Davidovich Fokina reached the final 4 by beating American Mackenzie McDonald 6-4 6-2.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
