Medvedev closer to world No.1 ATP ranking

Daniil Medvedev is just three wins away from claiming the ATP Tour's No.1 ranking.

The Russian edged closer in the Mexican Open on Wednesday with a dominant 6-1 6-2 second-round victory over Pablo Andujar.

The 26-year-old Medvedev, who can replace Novak Djokovic atop the rankings if he wins the title in Acapulco, will play either Taylor Fritz or Yoshihito Nishioka in the quarter-finals.

He needed just over an hour to beat Andujar the morning after defending champion Alexander Zverev was kicked out of the Mexican Open for violently smashing his racket on the umpire's chair moments after losing a doubles match.

Medvedev beat Djokovic in the US Open final last September to win first major title and, at his next grand slam, reached the final at the Australian Open last month before losing to Rafael Nadal.

The Mexican Open is played on the hard courts of the Arena GNP in Acapulco.