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Daniil Medvedev experienced an early loss at the Paris Masters, falling to Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 6-7, 7-6 in two hours and 54 minutes. Daniil played below his usual level, struggling on serve and also with the Parisian crowd.
Annoyed, the Russian refused to serve at 5-5 in the second set and left the court by smoothly showing the spectators his middle finger. Daniil prevailed in the second set and gave everything in the decider, fending off six match points before falling in the tie break.
Dimitrov won 19 points more than Medvedev, fending off nine out of 12 break points and delivering four return games from eight opportunities. Grigor landed 45 winners and 47 unforced errors, leaving Daniil with 22 winners and 50 mistakes.
World no. 3 showed his fighting spirit in the encounter's closing stages, denying those six break points before falling short and experiencing an early exit.
Daniil Medvedev did not enjoy the Parisian crowd on Wednesday.
Dimitrov started well, easily holding and breaking Medvedev in game two for an early advantage.
Daniil pulled the break back in the fifth game when Grigor sprayed a backhand error. Instead of building on that, the Russian lost serve for the second time in game six, pushing his rival 4-2 in front. Grigor served for the opener in game nine and closed it with a booming serve for 6-3 in 41 minutes.
Medvedev played well behind the initial shot in the second set, earning a break in game six and moving 5-2 in front. Daniil served for the set in game nine and played a loose one, losing serve and keeping Grigor in contention.
Dimitrov dug deep on serve in games ten and 12, repelling six set points and introducing a tie break. Medvedev lost those chances behind and claimed the breaker 7-4 after a cracking backhand down the line winner, forcing a decider.
Dimitrov raised his level again, serving well and breaking Medvedev in game six. The Bulgarian held in the next one for 5-2, moving closer to the finish line. Grigor served for the triumph in game nine, earning four match points.
World no. 3 erased them and broke back to extend his chances. Daniil struggled on serve in game 12, offering Grigor two more match points. The Bulgarian squandered them, missing six chances to seal the deal and standing as the outsider in the tie break.
Medvedev could not gain a boost, experiencing two mini-breaks and falling 5-0 down. Dimitrov earned his seventh match point with a service winner and converted it with a crafty volley winner at the net.
Ce fou😭😭 pic.twitter.com/lhN4oljCQa — 🏀🐪 (@Max_lvn13) November 1, 2023