The Russian will try to win a first title this season on the ATP circuit, against Cameron Norrie (12th), semi-finalist at Wimbledon in July and title holder in the Mexican tournament, and who beat in the other half, the Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime (9th), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
The 23-year-old Briton will be looking for his third title of the season after his victories in Lyon and Delray Beach.
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Medvedev was unable to take part in the London Grand Slam this year, as the organizers of the London tournament did not allow Russians and Belarusians to participate, in response to the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army.
The Ruuse, whose main objective is the US Open, of which he is defending champion and which will start at the end of the month, confirmed his rise to power, against an opponent who was tough during the first set.
The Serb indeed broke the first to escape 4-1, when Medvedev fought back, to pick up at 4-4 after several high-flying exchanges.
At 5-5, Kecmanovic was able to stay in the game after being upset to hear fireworks ring out in the sky of Los Cabos, before cracking in the tie-break.
Because great champions pull out the big punches at the moments that matter most, Medvedev slipped away, sickening his rival who was also handing out freebies en route to failing to earn a single point in the tiebreak.
Relying on an efficient service (12 aces in total), the Russian did not loosen the vice in the second set, going it alone to finally win in 1:27.
"The match was very difficult. It started well and the first set was of a great level. So many difficult points, so many points where I felt I was close to taking the lead. But in the end the tie -break was great", commented hot Medvedev, assured of remaining world No.1 at least until the end of the US Open.
© 2022 AFP