Medvedev Moves Past Haase Challenge In Sofia

Daniil Medvedev overcame an early deficit to defeat Dutch No.1 Robin Haase 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 on Thursday, reaching the quarter-finals of the Sofia Open.

The Russian did not face a break point in the final two sets, finding his best tennis to beat the World No. 54 in one hour and 35 minutes. Medvedev is into his second quarter-final of the season, as the World No. 16 began his year by reaching the Brisbane final (l.to Nishikori).

Playing indoors treated Medvedev well last year, as the Russian claimed his first ATP 500 title in Tokyo. He was second on the ATP Tour in victories indoors, triumphing 17 times. The third seed will next face Slovak Martin Klizan, who ousted German Daniel Brands 7-6(5), 6-4.

Sixth seed Fernando Verdasco also was forced to battle in his first match of the tournament, eventually moving past 2018 finalist Marius Copil 6-2, 4-6, 6-1.

The Spaniard, who is pursuing his first tour-level title since 2016 in Bucharest, is into his first quarter-final of the season. Verdasco will next face Italian Matteo Berrettini, who ousted top seed Karen Khachanov in the second round. It will be the pair’s first FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting.

In 2018, Verdasco won four of his five quarter-finals, advancing to the final in Rio de Janeiro.

Did You Know?
Medvedev is fresh off his first trip to the fourth round of a major, as he reached the Round of 16 at the Australian Open. While the Russian lost to World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in four sets, he was one of just two players (also Shapovalov) who took a set from the eventual champion.