TORONTO (AFP) - Daniil Medvedev had to work his way through a pair of tiebreakers to ensure a 2-6, 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/5) victory over Hubert Hurkacz and into the Semifinals of the ATP Toronto Masters.
The Russian world number two was caught on the back foot in the opening set, which he lost to his Polish opponent after committing nearly half of his 40 unforced errors on the night.
But the top seed gathered his resources to stage a fightback in two and a quarter hours on the way to revenge for a five-set loss he took at Wimbledon against the number 13.
Medvedev ended the evening with his 22nd ace on match point.
The 2019 finalist here said he picked up his game in the deciding set.
“I started playing a little bit better and tried to keep the pressure on him - he was certainly keeping it on me.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas ended the 13-match win streak of Casper Ruud with a clinical 6-1, 6-4 win.
A day after turning 23, the Greek world number three celebrated the birthday of his mother Julia, using the big day as inspiration on court.
“I’m proud of myself,” the 2018 Canada finalist said. “I had it in my mind to try and make her proud today.”
Tsitsipas will play on Saturday against Reilly Opelka, who sent down 18 aces in a 6-3, 7-6 (7/1) defeat of Spanish 10th seed Roberto Bautista Agut.