Daniil Medvedev had to work hard against a lucky loser Dalibor Svrcina in the second round of the Canada Masters in Toronto. The 2021 champion prevailed 7-6, 6-4 in an hour and 51minutes for a place in the third round.
The Czech fought well against the former world no. 1, taking only 11 points less and overcoming the deficit a couple of times. Daniil squandered a 5-3 lead in the opening set before prevailing in the tie break.
Dalibor forged two advantages in the second set. However, he could not capitalize on them, getting broken three times and ending his campaign despite a valiant effort.
Both players struggled to find the first serve. Medvedev produced more efficient numbers behind the first and second serve. The Russian got broken four times and provided five return games from 12 chances to emerge at the top.
They sprayed 80 unforced errors. Daniil made the difference after landing in 22 winners against the rival's nine. The 10th seed had more service winners and the upper hand at the net.
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We saw eight break points in four games in the middle of the opening set. Daniil denied three in the fourth game and avoided an early setback. He welcomed the rival's loose forehand in the next one for a break and a 3-2 advantage.
Svrcina broke back in the next one, locking the result at 3-3. The Czech suffered another break at 3-3, propelling the Russian in front. Medvedev held at love for 5-3 and served for the set in game ten.
Dalibor kept his focus and pulled the break back for 5-5 and more drama. They held in games 11 and 12 and introduced a tie break. The Czech missed a forehand at 3-4 and lost another point on serve when the 10th seed landed a forehand winner.
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Medvedev converted the first set point at 6-3 with an ace, wrapping up the first part of the duel in 59 minutes. Dalibor secured a break in the third game of the second set and lost the lead a few minutes later.
A lucky loser grabbed another advantage at 3-3 with a return winner. However, Medvedev seized the fifth break chance in the next one, pulling the break back and locking the result at 4-4.
The Russian made another push on the return at 5-4, moving over the top and booking a place in the third round.
