Medvedev & Auger-Aliassime Set For Rematch In Doha

Daniil Medvedev extended his winning streak to seven matches Thursday when he clawed past Christopher O’Connell 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 to reach the semi-finals at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha.

With his one-hour, 55-minute victory, Medvedev has improved to 2-0 in his ATP Head2Head series against O’Connell. The 27-year-old will continue the quest for his 17th tour-level title when he plays second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the last four.

“At 5-5 in the third, you have a last chance to break him and then serve for the match. I managed to play quite a good game,” Medvedev said. “He missed a few shots that he didn’t miss before. It was an important moment in the match and that made me win today.”

The third seed was zoned in during the first set, striking with consistency to outlast the Australian in the baseline exchanges to move ahead. Medvedev suffered a dip in the second set, though, as O’Connell started to close the net effectively to push his opponent into errors and force a decider. However, Medvedev remained calm and increased his level deep in the third set, gaining the crucial break in the 11th game before holding serve to advance.

“Everything depends on small moments,” Medvedev said. “Sometimes confidence, sometimes pure luck. I have lost close matches in my life and won some. I am trying to use my experience to make it better. I am happy it worked today.”

Medvedev arrived at the ATP 250 event in red-hot form, having captured the crown in Rotterdam. His victory in the Netherlands moved him back inside the Top 10 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. The World No. 8, who is 12-2 on the season, is making his debut in Doha. He defeated Liam Broady in straight sets in his opening match.

O’Connell was aiming to reach his second tour-level semi-final, having advanced to that stage in San Diego last season.

Medvedev will try to maintain his form against Auger-Aliassime, whom he defeated in last week’s Rotterdam quarter-finals to take a 5-0 lead in their ATP Head2Head series. The Canadian ousted Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-4, 7-6(5).

“I hope that I can do better than last week for sure,” Auger-Aliassime said. “It’s kind of a chess game to play Daniil. It’s really tough. He’s gotten me every time since we’ve played, so hopefully tomorrow I’ll get my shot and try to win.”

Auger-Aliassime won 86 per cent of his first-serve points against Davidovich Fokina and saved the two break points he faced to move on after one hour and 48 minutes.

“He’s one of the toughest competitors on Tour,” Auger-Aliassime said of Davidovich Fokina. “We’ve always had some crazy battles even back in the juniors. We’re around the same age, so I’ve known him for a long time. He’s a great guy, great player. And again, tonight was a battle.”