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Daniil Medvedev is through into the last four in Rotterdam. The Russian dethroned Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-2, 6-4 in an hour and 23 minutes, remaining on the title course and delivering his first top-10 victory in almost 13 months!
Daniil defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the last year's Australian Open semi-final and entered the second consecutive Melbourne Park final. Medvedev had a massive advantage against Rafael Nadal before falling in five sets and experiencing a Major blow.
The Russian has been a different player ever since, failing to match the pace of the world's best players and dropping out from the top-10. Daniil played at a high level against Felix for a much-needed notable triumph. Medvedev made the difference with the second serve and fended off two out of three break chances.
Daniil Medvedev scored his first top-10 victory in almost 13 months.
Felix served at 50% and struggled behind the second serve to get broken four times from seven opportunities offered to his opponent. Medvedev tamed his strokes nicely while Auger-Aliassime sprayed almost 30 unforced errors to hit the exit door.
The Russian built a massive advantage in the mid-range and most extended exchanges to bring the victory home in straight sets and remain on the title course. Felix saved a break point in the encounter's third game, and Daniil fired an ace in the next one for 2-2.
Auger-Aliassime missed a forehand in game five after an extended exchange to lose serve and push Medvedev 3-2 in front. The Russian grabbed the next one at love with a forehand winner to cement the lead and settle into a fine rhythm.
With nothing working his way, the Canadian sprayed a forehand error in the seventh game to drop serve and fall 5-2 behind. Daniil denied two break points in the eighth game and brought it home after Felix's poor volley for 6-2 in 36 minutes.
They traded breaks in the second set's games three and four and served well in the next two for 3-3. Medvedev built another lead with a break in game seven following Auger-Aliassime's wayward forehand and held at 15 for 5-3.
Felix served to stay in the match in game nine and held at 30 to prolong the duel. Medvedev served for the victory at 5-4 and sealed the deal after Auger-Aliassime's backhand error to book a place in the last four.