Daniil Medvedev survives a Taylor Fritz blitz to reach his maiden Masters 1000 semi-final of 2022 in Cincinnati

Daniil Medvedev secured a spot in his first Masters 1000 semi-final of 2022 after surviving a first-set onslaught to edge past in-form Taylor Fritz in Cincinnati. The Russian world No.1 was forced to dig deep for much of the opener before coming through 7-6(1) 6-3 to set up a last-four meeting with John Isner or Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Ad Fritz came into the contest in fine form having reached a career-high No.12 in the world back in July following a maiden Grand Slam quarter-final appearance at Wimbledon. US OpenUS Open: Who's in? Who's out? Is Djokovic playing?7 HOURS AGO The American was the dominant force for much of the opener, earning a break point in just the second game of the contest and continually exposing Medvedev’s misfiring forehand.

The world No.13 earned two more break points at 3-2 up but contrived to push a forehand long on the second with the game seemingly on his racquet. Medvedev continued to produce Houdini acts as the set wore on, saving a set point in game 10 before somehow surviving two more at 6-5 down to drag himself into a tie break.

Djokovic has edge over Nadal in GOAT race — Schett US Open — who's in, who's out? Is Djoker playing? Never, ever write him off — Nadal can still be dangerous at US Open Fritz will have wondered how he missed a backhand close to the net on one of those opportunities and his mood only darkened from there as Medvedev suddenly roared through the gears to take advantage of an ill-timed lull from the USA No.1 and romp through the tie-break by a 7-1 scoreline. Fritz, who lifted his maiden Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells earlier in the year, was suddenly a forlorn figure as Medvedev began to find some of his best tennis.