Daniil Medvedev is off to a winning start at the ATP 250 event in Almaty. The 2nd seed arrived in Kazakhstan following another deep run at the Shanghai Masters, targeting his first ATP title since May 2023!
Karen faced Adam Walton in the second round and secured a hard-fought 7-5, 7-6 victory in an hour and 44 minutes. Thus, the Russian reached his 12th ATP quarter-final of the season, moving closer to Carlos Alcaraz's 13.
The Aussie fought well against a top-15rival. He suffered a late break in the opener before opening a 4-1 advantage in set number two. However, Daniil pulled the break back and clinched the tie break 7-0 to emerge at the top.
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Medvedevclaimed 11 points more than his rival. He defended five of six break points and provided two breaks from six opportunities. They both landed more winners than unforced errors.
The 2nd seed built the advantage in service winners and from the baseline, while the lower-ranked player reduced the gap at the net. They served well in the opening ten games.
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The Russian made a push on the return at 5-5 and drew the Aussie's mistake to deliver a break and move in front. Daniil claimed four straight points from 0-30 at 6-5, landing a service winner on a set point and closing the first part of the duel in 39 minutes.
Adam stepped in on the return in the fourth game of the second set and grabbed a break with a forehand winner. The Russian struggled again on serve in the sixth game, facing five break points.
He denied them and closed the game after 11 minutes to avoid a decider. Walton missed his chances in that game and sent a forehand long in the next one to drop serve and bring his rival back to the positive side.
Daniil served well in games eight, ten and 12 and generated three break points at 5-5. Adam saved them and stayed in touch until the tie break. The Aussie experienced a mini-break in the first point.
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Medvedev landed an ace for 3-0 and passed his rival in the fourth point for another mini-break. The 2nd seed landed a backhand down the line winner for 5-0 and drew the opponent's error at 6-0 to seal the deal in style and reach the last eight.
