ATP Vienna: Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev advance into quarters

The 4th seed Daniil Medvedev is through to the quarter-final in Vienna, ousting Vasek Pospisil 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and 58 minutes. It was an important win for the Russian who lost the pace after the US Open semi-final, winning only one match in Hamburg, Paris and St. Petersburg. Pospisil bested Medvedev in Rotterdam and February and was on a good course in this one, leading 6-4, 2-2 before Daniil took charge to leave the rival behind and march into the last eight. They fired 31 aces combined and it was Medvedev who had the edge in the crucial moments, fending off five out of six break chances and delivering three breaks in sets two and three to move over the top and remain on the title course. Daniil had 25 winners and 16 unforced errors, leaving Vasek on a 32-34 ratio that wasn't enough to keep the Canadian safe despite a great effort. The 4th seed saved two break points in the fifth game and closed it after Vasek's backhand mistake to avoid an early setback.

Pushing strong on the return, the Canadian painted a backhand down the line winner at 3-3 to grab a break, saved a break chance in game ten with a volley winner and closed the set with an ace for 6-4 after 40 minutes. Serving in the second set's sixth game, Vasek repelled five break points and earned a chance in the next one that could have pushed him over the top. Daniil saved it with a brave second serve, clinched a break in game eight and held at love at 5-3 to wrap up the second set and bring up the decider. The Russian had the momentum now and used it wisely, stealing the Canadian's serve at 1-1 in the third set and holding at 15 with a service winner to forge a 3-1 advantage.

Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev are through to the last eight in Vienna.

Vasek lost ground and got broken again a few minutes later, falling further behind and allowing Medvedev to seal the deal on the third match point in game eight with an ace. In the battle of two aggressive hitters, Andrey Rublev earned the 36th victory of the season, leading 2-1 before Jannik Sinner retired due to a foot injury. Daniel Evans defeated Jurij Rodionov 7-5, 6-3 in an hour and 42 minutes, joining two Russians in the quarters. The Briton got broken twice and produced four breaks to control the scoreboard and reach the next round, mainly thanks to his first serve. The opening set lasted for more than an hour and the Briton grabbed it with a late break at 6-5, rattling off four straight games from 2-3 in set number two to find himself over the top. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3mCeu7S