HALLE, Germany (News Wires) – Top-ranked Daniil Medvedev defeated Ilya Ivashka for the second time in a week, beating the Belarusian 7-6 (4), 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals at the Halle Open.
Medvedev, who also elminated Ivashka in ´s-Hertogenbosch last week, saved three set points when trailing 5-4 in the first set.
Medvedev returned to No. 1 in the rankings this week, with Novak Djokovic dropping to No. 3, and acknowledged that may add to his opponents’ motivation in Halle.
“Some are going to be a little bit intimidated that they are playing the World No. 1 and they have a tough draw. If they lose, maybe it is nothing special,” Medvedev said according to AP.
“And some on the contrary. Maybe they don´t have the best confidence at the moment and if they beat the World No. 1, that is where it starts.”
Medvedev next faces seventh-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut, who beat qualifier Tallon Griekspoor 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-2.
No. 8-seeded Karen Khachanov and Oscar Otte of Germany also advanced.
Eighth-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov beat Serbia’s Laslo Djere 7-6 (4), 6-4. His quarter-final opponent will be German Oscar Otte, who rallied for a 4-6, 6-0, 7-6 (3) triumph over Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia.
Second-seeded Matteo Berrettini smoked 22 aces while rallying for a 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory over lucky loser Denis Kudla to reach the quarter-finals in London, Reuters reported.
The Italian was outplayed in the first set and then delivered nine aces in each of the final two sets to subdue Kudla. Berrettini saved seven of nine break points while Kudla saved five of seven.
Berrettini will next play Tommy Paul, who rolled to a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland. Paul converted 74.3 per cent of his first-serve points and won the match in 65 minutes.
Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic recorded a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over qualifier Sam Querrey. Krajinovic will next face Brit wild card Ryan Peniston, who outlasted Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo 6-0, 4-6, 6-4.
