Karen Khachanov made a winning start at the Monte Carlo Masters. The 9th seed prevailed over hiscompatriot and a good friend, Kran Khachanov,7-5, 4-6, 6-4 in two hours and 52 minutes! Medvedev struggled with a cramp in the closing stages of the duel.
However, he kept his composure and sealed the deal with a break at 5-4. Thus, the better-ranked Russian defeated his compatriot for the seventh time in nine encounters. Daniil almost squandered a 5-1 advantage in the first set, taking it 7-5 after over an hour.
Khachakov trailed 4-2 in the second set and stood near the exit door. However, he rattled off four games to claim the set 6-4 and force a decider. Karen erased a break three times in the final set before Daniil sealed the deal with his third straight break at 5-4.
Medvedev claimed 11 points more than his rival. He served at only 50% and struggled behind the second serve big time. Khachanov stole 47% of the return points and provided eight breaks from 16 opportunities. However, he needed more to emerge at the top.
Karen gave away 52% of the points in his games and experienced nine breaks from 20 chances presented to his compatriot. Medvedev hit more service winners, and Khachanov erased the deficit at the net. However, the better-ranked Russian created a buffer from the baseline.
The 9th seed was off to a reliable start. He movd 2-1 in front with a forehand winner and delivered his first break in the next one after a crafty drop shot. Khachanov netted a backhand in the sixth point and experienced another break to find himself 5-1 down.
Daniil served for the set in games seven and nine and suffered two breaks. Karen claimed an extended rally at 3-5 to pull the second break back and extend the set. Khachanov served to stay in the set at 4-5 and denied three set points for more drama.
However, he experienced a blow in the 12th game from 40-15. Medvedev won four straight points and grabbed a crucial break after the rival's forehand error for 7-5 in 61 minutes. We saw three consecutive breaks early in the second set.
Daniil notched two and moved 3-1 in front following a backhand down the line winner. The 9th seed landed an ace in game five for a hold at love before losing serve two games later after a double fault. Khachanov made another push on the return at 4-4.
He landed a forehand down the line winner for another break and a 5-4 advantage. Karen fired a service winner in game ten, wrapping up the set 6-4 and introducing a decider after an hour and 56 minutes. They traded early breaks in the final set.
Khachanov sprayed a forehand error in the sixth game, losing serve and falling 4-2 behind. He bounced back in the next one and landed a forehand winner to pull the break back and reduce the deficit. Daniil responded on the return in game eight.
The 9th seed delivered his second straight break on the fourth break point after passing his good friend at the net. Medvedev served for the win at 5-3 and sprayed a double fault, losing serve and keeping his rival in contention.
Karen served at 4-5 and failed to extend the duel. Daniil struggled with a cramp in his left leg. However, he painted a backhand down the line winner for a match point. Medvedev welcomed the rival's mistake at the net, sealing the deal and ending a marathon on the winning side.
