Alex de Minaur is into his first career ATP Masters semifinal, stunning Daniil Medvedev from 5-2 down in the first set to record back-to-back top-10 victories in Toronto.
Toronto, Canada, 11 August 2023 | AAP/tennis.com.au
Toronto, Canada
Alex de Minaur has emerged as a genuine US Open title threat after continuing his career-best run with a stunning defeat of former Flushing Meadows champion Daniil Medvedev.
The Australian No.1 displayed his fighting qualities for the second day running to reach his first ATP Masters 1000 semifinal with a 7-6(7) 7-5 win over top seed Medvedev in Toronto.
5 – Alex de Minaur has reached his maiden ATP Masters 1000 SF in Toronto, becoming the fifth Australian since 2000 to reach a Masters SF, after Mark Philippoussis, Lleyton Hewitt, Patrick Rafter and Nick Kyrgios. Breakthrough.#NBO23 | @NBOtoronto @atptour @ATPMediaInfo pic.twitter.com/KireJhKtIC
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) August 11, 2023
After fighting back from 5-1 in the first set in his previous match against world No.9 Taylor Fritz, de Minaur showed similar powers of recovery against Medvedev.
Contesting his maiden Masters 1000 quarterfinal, De Minaur rallied from 5-2 in the first set and 5-1 down in the tiebreak, saving three set points in the tiebreak before clinching the opener.
He then twice rallied from a break down in the second set to inflict just the fourth hard-court defeat of the season on Medvedev, the former world No.1 who lifted the trophy in Toronto in 2021.
The 24-year-old Sydneysider, who also defeated seed Cameron Norrie earlier this week, has now notched four top-five wins and will continue the quest for an eighth tour-level title and the biggest of his career against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Saturday.
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“I had to play some of my best tennis today, it has been a great week for me so far,” said De Minaur, who has scored consecutive top-10 wins at the same tournament for the first time.
“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 just had to play the right way and I am extremely proud of the effort and to still be alive.”
It is De Minaur second straight win over Medvedev, having upstaged the world No.3 at the Paris Masters last November.
And he improves to 9-2 in this North American summer hard-court…
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