'Better player' Medvedev into Marseille semi-finals

MARSEILLE: Daniil Medvedev reached his first semi-final of the year at the Marseille Open on Friday by defeating Germany´s Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets.

The former world number one from Russia came through 6-3, 6-2 in 78 minutes, saving five break points.

“I didn´t start the match well, he had a lot of break points,” said Medvedev, the 2021 champion in Marseille.

“I served good a couple of times. He made some mistakes. It´s part of tennis. Then I managed to take control of the match and I feel like I was a little bit of a better player.”

World number eight Medvedev has endured a disappointing start to the season, suffering second-round exits at the Australian Open and Rotterdam.

“I played two good matches here, I didn´t lose my serve,” added Medvedev who will face Hamad Medjedovic for a place in Sunday´s final.

Medjedovic, the world 96 from Serbia, defeated Germany´s 80th-ranked Daniel Altmaier 7-5, 6-7 (7/9), 6-4.

Defending champion Ugo Humbert reached the semi-finals for the fourth time by seeing off Italy´s Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 6-4.