Danill Medvedev extended his fine form on Friday at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament by breaking the seven-match winning streak of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who also picked up an ATP Tour title last week. The fifth-seeded Russian proved too consistent for the 2017 Rotterdam champion, who is on the comeback trail from a left knee injury, in a 6-4, 6-2 victory over one hour and 32 minutes for a place in the semi-finals.
Medvedev, who captured his fourth ATP Tour title last week at the Sofia Open and is now seven matches unbeaten, will next look to overcome another Frenchman, 2016 finalist Gael Monfils. Medvedev, a winner of 14 of 16 matches this season, beat Monfils 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday in Sofia.
The 22-year-old, who had beaten Tsonga 6-2, 7-5 last month in the Brisbane International semi-finals, broke his opponent in the first game. Tsonga saved four break points at 2-4, but could not force an opening and Medvedev wrapped up the 50-minute opener when Tsonga struck a forehand into the net.
Tsonga raised his level of play early in the second set, but was unable to capitalise as Medvedev absorbed the pressure and then broke to love for a 3-2 advantage when his opponent double faulted. Tsonga’s resistance was broken when he struck a forehand into the net at 2-4 and Medvedev went on to close out victory.
Tsonga, who won his 17th ATP Tour crown last week at the Open Sud de France (d. Herbert), is now 11-3 on the season.
Monfils extended his run of form by reaching an ATP Tour semi-final for the second consecutive week with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 70 minutes . “It was a good one,” said former World No. 6 Monfils. “I stuck to my game plan and I am satisfied how I executed. I prepared well in the off-season and I am starting to believe that I can get back to the top of the game.”
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Dictating with his forehand, 2016 Rotterdam finalist Monfils upped the ante on Dzumhur’s serve in the fourth game of the first set, and the Frenchman earned a second break for a 5-1 lead when Dzumhur mis-timed a drop shot. Monfils wrapped up the 38-minute opener when Dzumhur struck a backhand volley wide.
A lapse in concentration, on a forehand volley, cost Dzumhur the first game of the second set, as Monfils ripped a forehand winner past him. Dzumhur’s level improved and a wild fourth game saw Monfils lose his advantage, but the World No. 33 immediately regrouped at 2-2 and went on to complete his seventh win in nine matches in 2019. Monfils also beat Dzumhur 6-0, 6-4, 6-0 in the Australian Open first round last month.
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