Daniil Medvedev has marched into the ultimate 4 on the Adelaide International, brushing apart fellow Russian Karen Khachanov to proceed to his spectacular Australian Open build-up.
Medvedev is trying to relaunch his bid for the world No.1 rating in Australia, the place he was overwhelmed within the Open ultimate final 12 months by Rafael Nadal in an epic five-set encounter that lasted greater than 5 hours.
The 26-year-old spent 4 months in 2022 as world No. 1 however solely managed two titles and completed the 12 months with 4 consecutive losses.
Now ranked world No.7, Medvedev confirmed indicators of his greatest at Memorial Drive, accounting for Twentieth-ranked Khachanov 6-3 6-3.
He has but to drop a set in Adelaide, the place he’s the third seed, and can meet the winner of the match between high seed Novak Djokovic and Canada’s Denis Shapovalov who sq. off in a while Friday.
Medvedev broke Khachanov within the seventh recreation of the primary set, successful three successive video games to wrap issues up in type.
Khachanov obtained a break within the second to steer 3-1 however Medvedev roared again to say a convincing victory.
“It’s never easy to play your compatriot,” Medvedev mentioned in an on-court interview.
“I’m happy that I managed to really raise my level, especially in the end of both sets, and really happy to be through to the semis.”
The 2021 US Open champion, Medvedev had his first Australian Open ultimate loss that 12 months, taking place to Djokovic in straight units.
He mentioned he felt he was constructing into one other sturdy marketing campaign at Melbourne Park the place he may hopefully go one higher and win a second grand slam title.
“For sure I played well last year and I’m playing well right now,” Medvedev mentioned.
“To be honest, that’s all that matters – in order to win a slam or be in the final you have to be at your best for seven matches.
“I managed to do it as soon as and I used to be actually shut final 12 months, and that is what I’m going to attempt to do once more in a number of weeks in Melbourne.”
In other matches on Friday, American Sebastian Korda upset Italian sixth seed Jannik Sinner 7-5 6-1, while Australia’s Alexei Popyrin suffered a three-set quarter-final loss to Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka.
Nishioka received 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (8-10) 6-2 and can face Korda, the son of former Australian Open champion Petr Korda, within the final 4.
