Medvedev, AO finalist last year, is aiming to go one better and win his second major, both in succession.
van de Zandschulp competed in the main draw of Grand Slam tournaments for the first time in 2021.
He made the quarters of the US Open after making it through qualifying. He defeated seeded players Casper Ruud and Diego Schwartzman en route to his quarter final match with eventual champion Daniil Medvedev, his third round opponent in this years AO. He won a set in that encounter, their only meeting prior to now.
For ease, reference to the Dutchman from now will be Botic.
Botic served first and held with purpose. One long rally was particularly noteworthy.
Medvedev was ruthless in levelling with a love game.
In game three, Medvedev didn’t miss when he had a break chance. His forehand winner clinched the break and he was ahead 2-1.
Taken to deuce after a double fault, Medvedev simply rocketed down a couple of serves unable to be handled, and it was 3-1.
Serving for the set at 5-4, Medvedev double faulted to give Botic two break back points.
Medvedev saved them both and won the set 6-4.
Three winners in a love game gave Botic just the right start to set two.
But Medvedev replied with an easy service hold, an ace to finish the game. 1-1.
A promising start to the set soon turned to disaster for Botic as he dropped serve to love and Medvedev was leading 2-1, just like set one.
After holding to love, and having won 12 points in a row, Medvedev extended his lead to 3-1.
Game five - Botic saved two break points to temporarily stop the rot. He trailed 2-3.
Medvedev saved a break point to lead 4-2, but that was his only concern as he served out the set 6-4.
In set three, Botic wasn’t hit by the third game curse, and he led 2-1, with games on serve.
Game five - the Dutch forehand failed on the second of two break points, and Medvedev was in the home straight. 3-2 with serve to come.
Botic served at 2-4 and was down 15-40. He saved one break point, but Medvedev hit a backhand winner to achieve a double break and be serving for the match.
A forehand winner from Botic put Medvedev at 30-30, but the Russian replied with one of his own to give him match point.
He converted immediately to win 6-4 6-4 6-2.
No comments:
Post a Comment