Medvedev beats ‘friend’ Shevchenko in Madrid

World number three Daniil Medvedev edged out his friend and Russian compatriot Alexander Shevchenko 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 yesterday to reach the Madrid Open fourth round.
The Russian duo enjoyed six years of online gaming sessions together before they eventually met last year, facing off against each other in the Spanish capital for the first time in a thrilling two hour 42 minute clash.
Medvedev, who readily admits he struggles on clay, started slowly but showed his quality to win back-to-back matches in Madrid for the first time.
Shevchenko, arriving in fine form, converted his third break point in the first game and then broke again on the way to a 4-0 lead.
However the 22-year-old showed too much impatience in trying to clinch the first set and allowed second seed Medvedev to fight his way back in.
Shevchenko passed up two set points at 5-2 and Medvedev broke and consolidated to turn up the pressure on the world number 96.
The qualifier eventually took the first set at the third time of asking when his 27-year-old compatriot shot wide.
Medvedev, who struggled to seal points on his serve, put his hand to his ear to goad fans at the Caja Magica, the interaction appearing to energise him.
The 2021 US Open winner survived two break points in the first game of the second set and then broke himself before consolidating for 3-0.
Sabalenka ends Andreeva adventure to reach Madrid quarters
World number two Aryna Sabalenka made light work of 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva yesterday with a 6-3, 6-1 win to reach the Madrid Open quarter-finals.
Russian youngster Andreeva, a wildcard, became only the third 15-year-old to win a WTA 1000 main draw match when she beat 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez last week. She went on to beat two top 20 players in Beatriz Haddad Maia and, on her 16th birthday, Magda Linette, but overcoming 2021 Madrid winner Sabalenka was a bridge too far.
“Of course I’m happy with the win, I wish I would have played at Madrid when I was 16,” said Sabalenka.
“I think my first few games I was trying to adjust for her rhythm and her game, and then I kept trying to play my game, be aggressive and fight for every point,” she addded.
The Australian Open champion will face Egyptian Mayar Sherif in the next round after she beat Elise Mertens 6-4, 0-6, 6-4 earlier yesterday.