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World no. 7 Daniil Medvedev is safely through into the quarter-final in Adelaide. The Russian is playing well in the season's first event, hoping to shape up his game ahead of the season's first Major in Melbourne. Daniil faced Miomir Kecmanovic in the second round and scored a commanding 6-0, 6-3 triumph in an hour and seven minutes.
It was their third meeting, and the Russian is yet to lose a set against the Serb. Both players served above 70%, and Daniil was the only one who took advantage of that. Medvedev fired seven aces and dropped 15 points in eight service games.
He denied the only break point he faced and kept the pressure on the other side. Kecmanovic was powerless behind the initial shot, delivering three fine holds in the second set but losing 55% of the points. Medvedev turned them into four breaks from seven opportunities, enough to carry him over the top.
Daniil Medvedev beat Miomir Kecmanovic in under 70 minutes.
Daniil was the only player on the court in the opener, serving a bagel in 28 minutes for a massive boost. The Russian held in the first game after a couple of deuces and placed a forehand down the line winner in the second to grab a break at 15.
A service winner pushed Medvedev 3-0 up, and he created two break chances in game four after the rival's wild forehand. Miomir netted a routine volley on the first to lose serve and fall 4-0 behind. Daniil saved a break point in game five with a forehand winner and held to extend the advantage.
Kecmanovic hit a backhand long in the sixth game to face two set points. Medvedev seizes the first with a forehand return winner that sent him 6-0 up in under half an hour. The Russian clinched the second set's opening game with a forehand down the line winner to extend his streak.
The Serb finally got his name on the scoreboard with a service winner in game two and gained some momentum. Both players served well in the next five games, with Medvedev opening a 4-3 advantage with an ace down the T line.
Miomir produced three comfortable holds before Daniil created break chances with a backhand down the line winner in game eight. Kecmanovic saved them and extended the game before Medvedev seized the fourth break opportunity with a backhand down the line winner. The Russian served for the victory at 5-3 and held at 30 to seal the deal and move into the last eight.