Daniil Medvedev defeated Miomir Kecmanovic 6-0, 6-3 to reach the quarter finals of the Adelaide International. The former world No. 1 – now ranked No. 7 – had an easy time on Wednesday for his third victory in three tries against the Serbian, who is ranked No. 29.
Top-seeded Novak Djokovic, who has won 30 straight singles matches on Australian soil, will play on Thursday for his place in the quarter finals and a possible matchup against Medvedev in the semi-finals.
Medvedev is seeded No. 3 and will face fellow-Russian Karen Khachanov for his spot in the semi-finals.
“Really happy to be through, happy with my level and looking forward to my next match,” Medvedev said. “Miomir is a tough opponent, high-rep player. There are no easy guys left in Adelaide, not sure there were even in the first round.” Khachanov, a semi-finalist at last year’s US Open, defeated Jack Draper of Britain 6-4, 6-2 to advance.
Sabalenka advances
On the women’s side of the combined ATP-WTA tournament, Aryna Sabalenka and Marketa Vondrousova are set to meet in the quarter finals after both won their matches on Wednesday.
Sabalenka, seeded No. 2, defeated Liudmila Samsonova in a gruelling match that lasted 2 hours, 15 minutes, winning 7-6 (8), 7-6 (3).
Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka during her second round match against Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova on Wednesday Reuters
“When it’s 1-5 down it’s nothing to lose and you just go for your shots without thinking,” said Sabalenka, who avenged her November defeat by the Russian Samsonova in Guadalajara.
“I think that really helped me to stay in the set and keep fighting, keep trying ... It’s definitely tough to start after the bye and especially against a player like Liudmila.
“She’s an incredible player with a huge serve, so it was a tough match and I’m super happy with this win.”
Vondrousova, the 2019 French Open finalist, defeated Kaia Kanepi 6-0, 6-4.
Martya Kostyuk rallied past Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 6-7(5), 6-2 6-3 while former US Open winner Bianca Andreescu was thumped 6-4 6-0 by fourth seed Veronika Kudermetova.
At the ASB Tennis Classic in Auckland, Sloane Stephens fell to a 6-3, 7-6(5) defeat at the hands of unseeded Spaniard Rebeka Masarova in a match that resumed on Wednesday after being suspended due to rain the previous day.
Fellow major champion Sofia Kenin battled past Wang Xinyu 7-6(6), 6-3.
