Second seed Daniil Medvedev continued his perfect run in New York Friday as he cruised past Spaniard Pablo Andujar 6-0, 6-4, 6-3 to reach the fourth round at the US Open for the third straight year.
The Russian, who overcame Richard Gasquet in the first round to record his 200th match win, is yet to drop a set at Flushing Meadows this week. The 25-year-old played with confidence against Andujar, hammering groundstrokes and winning 76 per cent (32/42) of his first-serve points to secure his victory after one hour and 56 minutes.
“It was a great match,” Medvedev said in his press conference. “[It is] always great to finish in straight sets. The more matches you can win in straight sets the better. [The] second and third sets were much tighter, a lot of long rallies. I am happy with my level, happy with everything.”
The World No. 2 has now compiled a 14-2 record since Wimbledon, capturing his fourth ATP Masters 1000 title in Toronto and advancing to the semi-finals in Cincinnati. Medvedev, who has also lifted trophies in Marseille and Mallorca this year, will next face Daniel Evans after the 24th seed rallied to defeat Australian Alexei Popyrin 4-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(1).
“I think it's tough to describe him [Evans] with one word, but definitely very tricky,” Medvedev said when asked about facing Evans. “I would think very smart because he doesn't have one shot that is a weapon, and yet he's a top player for many years already. The way he chooses the right moment to go to the net, to slice, to make a drop shot. His serve is not huge, but it's tough to return. [He is] a great player.”
The 12-time tour-level titlist is aiming to capture his first major title in New York, after falling to Rafael Nadal in five sets in the US Open final in 2019 and then to Novak Djokovic in this year's Australian Open championship match. The Russian also reached the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows last year.
“I'm feeling I can do big things,” Medvedev added. “But I know I need to continue playing well. The further you go, the tougher matches and tougher opponents you get. You just need to stay consistent and bring out your best every match.”
Medvedev made a fast against Andujar, breaking in the opening game of the first set as he pinned the Spaniard behind the baseline with his flat groundstrokes. The 25-year-old struck the ball with great power and consistency, committing just three unforced errors and dropping only two points on serve to lead.
Despite Andujar raising his intensity and level in the second set, he lost his serve in the fifth game. The World No. 74 was unable to convert two break points at 4/5, before firing a forehand wide as Medvedev moved to within one set of his victory. The Russian broke three times and hit seven winners in the third set to advance.
Andujar rallied from two-sets-to-love down in his opening-round victory against Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin and was aiming to reach the fourth round at the US Open for the second time, after enjoying a run to the last 16 in 2019.
The Russian, who overcame Richard Gasquet in the first round to record his 200th match win, is yet to drop a set at Flushing Meadows this week. The 25-year-old played with confidence against Andujar, hammering groundstrokes and winning 76 per cent (32/42) of his first-serve points to secure his victory after one hour and 56 minutes.
“It was a great match,” Medvedev said in his press conference. “[It is] always great to finish in straight sets. The more matches you can win in straight sets the better. [The] second and third sets were much tighter, a lot of long rallies. I am happy with my level, happy with everything.”
The World No. 2 has now compiled a 14-2 record since Wimbledon, capturing his fourth ATP Masters 1000 title in Toronto and advancing to the semi-finals in Cincinnati. Medvedev, who has also lifted trophies in Marseille and Mallorca this year, will next face Daniel Evans after the 24th seed rallied to defeat Australian Alexei Popyrin 4-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(1).
“I think it's tough to describe him [Evans] with one word, but definitely very tricky,” Medvedev said when asked about facing Evans. “I would think very smart because he doesn't have one shot that is a weapon, and yet he's a top player for many years already. The way he chooses the right moment to go to the net, to slice, to make a drop shot. His serve is not huge, but it's tough to return. [He is] a great player.”
The 12-time tour-level titlist is aiming to capture his first major title in New York, after falling to Rafael Nadal in five sets in the US Open final in 2019 and then to Novak Djokovic in this year's Australian Open championship match. The Russian also reached the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows last year.
“I'm feeling I can do big things,” Medvedev added. “But I know I need to continue playing well. The further you go, the tougher matches and tougher opponents you get. You just need to stay consistent and bring out your best every match.”
Medvedev made a fast against Andujar, breaking in the opening game of the first set as he pinned the Spaniard behind the baseline with his flat groundstrokes. The 25-year-old struck the ball with great power and consistency, committing just three unforced errors and dropping only two points on serve to lead.
Despite Andujar raising his intensity and level in the second set, he lost his serve in the fifth game. The World No. 74 was unable to convert two break points at 4/5, before firing a forehand wide as Medvedev moved to within one set of his victory. The Russian broke three times and hit seven winners in the third set to advance.
Andujar rallied from two-sets-to-love down in his opening-round victory against Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin and was aiming to reach the fourth round at the US Open for the second time, after enjoying a run to the last 16 in 2019.