ATP Cincinnati: Alexander Zverev edges Daniil Medvedev

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Alexander Zverev is through to his first Masters 1000 quarter-final since Rome last year. Alexander met Daniil Medvedev in the Cincinnati third round and prevailed 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in two hours and 32 minutes, beating the Russian for the seventh time in 16 encounters.

It was a tight battle between two former Cincinnati champions. Medvedev took down Zverev at three Masters 1000 events this year, and the German emerged at the top in this one, beating his rival for the first time since the 2021 ATP Finals.

Medvedev served at 53% and sprayed seven double faults. There was nothing wrong with his first serve, but the second let him down, facing eight break points and losing serve three times. Zverev also played against eight break points, defending six and making a crucial difference with a late break in the decider.

Alexander played more aggressive tennis, delivering 36 winners and massive 49 unforced errors, missing equally from both wings.

Alexander Zverev delivered his first win over Daniil Medvedev since 2021.

Daniil landed 13 winners and 25 mistakes, giving his best to prevail but losing ground in the decisive moments.

Both players won 99 points, with nothing separating them in the shortest and more advanced exchanges. They served well in the encounter's opening four games before Medvedev experienced three break points at 2-2 after a backhand error.

The Russian denied them and held to remain on the positive side. Alexander pushed strong on the return again in the seventh game and secured the first break after the rival's double fault. Suddenly, the German landed a double fault in the eighth game and offered his opponent three break chances.

Alexander erased them with good serves and rattled off five points to produce a vital hold and open a 5-3 advantage. Zverev served for the set at 5-4 and clinched it after an extended exchange and the rival's unforced error.

Medvedev played better early in the second set, serving well and delivering a break at 3-2 from 40-15 down after Alexander's loose forehand. The German pulled the break back in the next one, reducing the deficit to 4-3. They served well in the next four games, and Zverev had to produce another fine hold at 5-6 to introduce a tie break.

Instead, he got broken at love following a loose backhand, handing the set to his opponent and sending the match into a decider after an hour and 45 minutes. There were no chances for the returners in the third set's opening seven games, and Zverev faced elimination after offering Medvedev two break chances at 3-4.

Alexander stayed calm and defended them, bringing the game home and gathering a boost. Zverev broke Medvedev in the ninth game following the rival's costly double fault and held at 15 in the next one to advance to his first Masters 1000 quarter-final in 15 months.