On Saturday, playing the 10th ATP Masters 1000 semifinal of his career, Daniil Medvedev extended his unbeaten run to 19 matches by claiming a dramatic 7-5, 7-6(4) victory over home-favorite Frances Tiafoe after one hour and 46 minutes.
In his on-court interview, he commented: “It was crazy at the end. I would say that [after] 6-5, 40/0, I got tight at deuce when I was like, “Oh my god, that’s a lot of opportunities missed, this could go not well for me” So I got really tight, [but] I still managed to continue well.”
Adding: “The ace [on match point] was a relief, I’m just really happy that I managed not to lose this match.”
Medvedev and Tiafoe set off the action at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in style.
A top encounter decided in two sets, the opener controlled by the former and the second, featuring eight match points, challenged by the latter into a breathtaking tiebreak.
As the Story Unfolded
The score remained tight during the first four games of the opener. In the fifth, the American got tested by his opponent, applying pressure to produce three break-point opportunities, which Tiafoe saved to hold a 3-2 lead.
Despite being unable to trouble Medvedev’s serve, the World No. 16 maintained his rhythm, moving well and charging at the net accurately, holding onto his advantage for much of the set.
In the eleventh game, the 14th seed hit his first double fault, which would help his adversary find breathing room to convert a clinical first break point, marching to serve for the set at 6-5.
A clean ball striking and a flawless service performance gave the World No. 6 the edge to close out 7-5 in 42 minutes.
The fifth seed made the difference, winning 93 percent of the first serve points and 83 percent on his second serve.
Medvedev kept the momentum going, breaking in spectacular fashion to open the second set and held, taking a 2-0 advantage.
Tiafoe, who did not drop a set through four matches on his run to the last four in Tennis Paradise, fended off a double break point to hold his serve at 2-3.
Playing his first semifinal in a seventh Indian Wells appearance, he fought hard, challenging the Moscow native in a close sixth game.
However, the former world number one would escape unharmed, staying ahead at 4-2.
Next, Wayne Ferreira’s pupil rallied to hold his serve, saving three match points in the process, at 4-5.
Nearly unstoppable this season, the 27-year-old served for the match, hitting a double fault before getting broken by Tiafoe, who tied the score at 5-5, igniting the local crowd.
Medvedev broke straight back, but so did the 25-year-old, who shut the door, forcing a second-set tiebreak, which the former won.
The 18-time ATP titlist wrapped up the set 7-6(4) and the match, booking his spot in the championship match.
He finished with 30 winners to 12 unforced errors to his rival’ 25 and 32, respectively.
Moreover, he won 80 percent of the first serve points while the American player won 70 percent of his.
Next, he will face top seed Carlos Alcaraz or Italian Jannik Sinner in the final.
En route to his first semifinal in Indian Wells, Medvedev overcame Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, setting a meeting with Tiafoe.
For his part, on the way to his first ATP Masters 1000 semifinal, the U.S. Open semifinalist beat 2021 champion Cameron Norrie, 6-4, 6-4.
The stakes are high for Medvedev on Sunday, seeking his fifth ATP Masters 1000 title, the fourth consecutive crown this season.
Neither a right ankle injury nor a cut open thumb disrupted the man who came to California, having captured consecutive titles at Rotterdam, Doha, and Dubai in as many weeks.