Corentin Moutet survived all kinds of drama against the former world no. 1 Daniil Medvedev in Washington. The Frenchman provided a 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory in an hour and 25 minutes of an entertaining battle.
Thus, Moutet will compete in his first ATP semi-final above the ATP 250 level. Daniil made a reliable start and took the opener in no time. Both players struggled in tough conditions in the second set, with Medvedev receiving a medical timeout in the middle of the seventh game.
Corentin survived a couple of challenging games in the decider and led 5-4 before the match was halted for an hour due to lightning in the local area. Moutet experienced cramps when they returned but stayed competitive.
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The Frenchman welcomed the rival's three double faults and converted a thrilling third match point to emerge at the top and notch his fourth top-20 hard-court victory.
The 2019 finalist served at 51% and sprayed ten double faults. However, he claimed six points more than his rival thanks to a dominant performance in the opening set.
The Russian saved four of seven break points and grabbed three breaks from nine opportunities, two in the first part of the duel. Medvedev hit more winners and unforced errors.
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He had the upper hand in service winner and at the net, while Moutet reduced the gap from the baseline. They stayed neck and neck in the shortest, mid-range and most extended exchanges.
Daniil served well in the first set and secured breaks in games four and six. He landed a service winner at 5-1 and grabbed the opener after 24 minutes. They served well in the opening five games of the second set.
The Russian played a terrible backhand in the sixth game, losing serve and receiving a medical timeout in the next one. Corentin served for the set at 5-3 and suffered a break after a smash winner from his opponent.
Instead of gaining a boost, Daniil hit a costly double fault in game ten, losingset 6-4 and allowing his rival to force a decider after an hour and 18 minutes. Medvedev played better in the opening eight games of the final set.
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He served well and missed his chances on the return in games five and seven. Moutet held at 30 in game nine before the organizers sent them off the court for an hour.
They returned and embraced an entertaining tenth game. The Frenchman felt cramps while the Russian struggled with double faults. Daniil saved two match points but faced the third after the third double fault.
Moutet claimed an entertaining point at the net with a forced error, celebrating one of his career-best wins and moving into the semi-final.
