Daniil Medvedev joins exclusive ATP club with Novak Djokovic

Daniil Medvedev is starting to look like a real threat at the Italian Open.

Just a month after his surprising 6-0, 6-0 defeat in Monte Carlo, the Russian seems to have regained his best form on clay while in Italy.

The 30-year-old reached his second Italian Open quarter-final on Tuesday, defeating Thiago Agustin Tirante 6-3, 6-2 in Rome.

Medvedev will now face lucky loser Martin Landaluce for a spot in the semi-finals.

Even before that matchup, Medvedev had already matched an ATP record held by Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev.

Daniil Medvedev joins select group with multiple quarter-finals at every Masters 1000

Tuesday’s win over Tirante marked the second time Daniil Medvedev has reached the quarter-finals in Rome.

He first did it in 2023, a run that ended with him lifting the trophy.

According to OptaAce, Medvedev has become only the third active player to make multiple quarter-finals at all nine ATP Masters 1000 events. The only other two players currently active who have done this are Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev.

Medvedev will be looking to book his spot in a third Masters 1000 semi-final of this season when he takes on Spain’s Martin Landaluce on Thursday.

The pair have yet to face each other on tour, and Landaluce has continued to show why he’s highly regarded. He also made it to the Miami Open quarter-finals earlier in the year and is seen as one of several promising young players coming through alongside names like Alexander Blockx and Rafael Jodar.

Daniil Medvedev’s first Masters 1000 quarter-final

Daniil Medvedev reached his first Masters 1000 quarter-final in 2019.

He defeated Joao Sousa, Radu Albot and Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Monte Carlo Masters to set up a clash with tennis legend Novak Djokovic.

Medvedev managed to beat the Serbian superstar 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in their quarter-final matchup.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Medvedev said:

Lajovic advanced to the final before being defeated by Fabio Fognini. Medvedev has since appeared in another three semi-finals at Monte Carlo but is yet to qualify for a final.

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