Two top-10 seeds fought in the Indian Wells fourth round. The two-time finalist Daniil Medvedev toppled Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-0 in an hour and 14 minutes for a place in the last eight. They battled in last year's semi-final, with the American taking the opening set.
ADVERTISEMENT
Tommy stood no chance in Tuesday night's match. The home player erased an early deficit before dropping the last eight games of the match to propel the Russian through. Daniil claimed 18 points more than his rival.
Medvedev struggled behind the second serve but still outplayed his pale opponent. The 5th seed defended three of five break points and claimed 56% of the return points. He provided six breaks from eight chances, controlling the scoreboard and moving over the top.
Daniil tamed his strokes nicely and hit 17 winners and 14 unforced errors. Tommy landed 16 direct points and sprayed 31 mistakes, missing from both wings and hitting the exit door. The Russian built a massive41-19 advantage from the baseline and forged the gap in the shortest and mid-range exchanges.
Medvedev held at love in the first game of the encounter. Hepassed his rival with a forehand crosscourt attack in game two for a break and an early advantage. The Russian fired an ace in the third game for another hold at love and stepped in on the return in the next one.
ADVERTISEMENT
Struggling to find his shots, Paul sprayed a backhand error in the fourth game, experiencing another break and falling 4-0 behind. Tommy raised his level and pulled one break back in game five. Daniil sprayed a double fault in the seventh game, losing serve for the second time and his advantage.
The American held in the eighth game to erase the deficit and lock the result at 4-4. However, that would be his last game of the match! Medvedev notched his third break at 5-4 after the rival's forehand error, wrapping up the opener in 37 minutes.
Daniil saved three break points in the first game of the second set and provided an extra boost. Tommy netted a routine forehand in the second game to drop serve and fall behind. The Russian hit an ace in the third game to cement the lead and made another push on the returnin the next one.
Paul sprayed another forehand error, losing serve for the third straight time and falling further behind. The 5th seed grabbed the fifth game with a service winner and made another push on the return in the next one.
ADVERTISEMENT
Medvedev converted the third match point after Paul's volley error at the net, sealing the deal and reaching the last 16.
