World No. 18 Alex de Minaur is making the most out of his run on Canadian soil, advancing into his first ATP Masters 1000 semifinal on Friday day session with a commanding 7-6(7), 7-5 win after a two-hour, two-minute wild battle over World No. 3 Daniil Medvedev at the Sobeys Stadium on Friday.
In his on-court interview, the 24-year-old asserted: βI had to play some of my best tennis today. It has been a great week for me so far.β
Addressing his performance, De Minaur added: βI played the right way today. I think having played him at the end of last year gave me the confidence that I had a chance. I just had to play the right way, and I am extremely proud of the effort and to still be alive.β
The Sydney-born player notched his fourth Top 5 career victory against the Moscow native, who stood perfect on his way to the quarterfinals in Toronto, off the back of a 7-match winning streak.
The Acapulco reigning champion won 80 percent of the first serve points, while Medvedev earned just 54 percent on his.
Most notable, the young Australian, who covered every inch of the court thanks to his incredible speed and skill, displayed an outstanding form to rally from behind throughout the two-set thriller, taking one of his best career triumphs to date.
βI know every time I play Daniil it will be a chess match. We are both very good at adapting and playing different styles, and it brings the best out of me. I have to be aggressive and take the chances I get. I think this style of tennis is my best.β
On Saturday, he will face World No. 37 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who moved past American Mackenzie McDonald 6-4, 6-2, starting the quarterfinals action on Friday - the man responsible for halting the campaign of sixth seed Andrey Rublev and home hope Milos Raonic.
The spirited Spanish player, who last year finished runner-up at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters - contested on the red clay, has reached a new career milestone, achieving his first Masters 1000 semifinal on a hard court.
Having dropped a lone set en route to the last four, he has showcased a high level of tennis through the week and moved past big names, such as the likes of third seed Casper Ruud and the 2023 Hamburg champion Alexander Zverev.
In that regard, he commented: βTo beat the top players is giving me a lot of confidence. I just want to step on court, play my best and enjoy every moment and every point. To get that battle that I want.β
Speaking about the American player, he stressed: βHe was playing amazing at the beginning and then made a few mistakes, and I believed more in myself. It gave me a lot of power.β
Moreover, against McDonald, the Spaniard was wise on serve and return, a combination that proved too strong to overpower.
When he faces De Minaur in his fifth tour-level semifinal, Davidovich Fokina will have to βroar lauder,β delivering his best tennis for a chance to secure a spot in the championship match.
Fokina leads the Aussie in their series 2-1, but the Los Cabos finalist single victory over his upcoming adversary came on the hard court in 2019 at the Next Gen ATP Finals.