Paris (AFP)
World No.4 Daniil Medvedev, who had been in six consecutive finals, was eliminated from his entry into the Masters 1000 in Paris by Frenchman Jérémy Chardy (65) in three sets 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 Tuesday.
Medvedev (23), a finalist at the US Open in early September, had won the last two Masters 1000s in Cincinnati in August and Shanghai in October. Chardy (32), from qualifying, will face American John Isner or Chilean Cristian Garin for a place in the quarterfinals.
Medvedev first made an impression of serenity foolproof in the first set: impeccable service, uncompromising on his faceoffs. Then the Russian machine has seized up unexpectedly. Less striking on his commitment as in the game, he suddenly conceded two breaks, blow after blow, letting the second set.
The start of the third, with eight breakaway bullets flying in Chardy's first three service games, put his nerves to the test. A racket throw was not enough to get him back on track.
And it is finally the French who has seized the game with his opponent to lead 4-3. A last break opportunity, to pick up at 5-5 while Chardy served for the win of the game, did not smile either. And allowed the Habs to conclude on his second chance.
Before playing in Paris, Medvedev had reached the final of the last six tournaments he had played, in Washington, Montreal, Cincinnati, New York, St. Petersburg and Shanghai (three wins and three losses). He then gave up lining up in Moscow and Vienna to get some rest.
© 2019 AFP