Medvedev will face Tiafoe in the semi-finals

(Indian Wells) Daniil Medvedev, 6^e World Cup, despite a sore ankle and a cut thumb, never flinched to beat Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich 6-3, 7-5 (28^e), Wednesday, and advance to the semi-finals of the Indian Wells tournament, where the American Frances Tiafoe awaits.

Barely 24 hours ago, there was doubt about the Russian’s participation in this quarter-final or, at least, his ability to recover sufficiently after his 3:17 of effort, certainly paying off, against the German Alexander Zverev, knocked down 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/5), 7-5.

But obviously, his twisted right ankle, which had suddenly bent inwards and then immediately outwards, is much better after having swollen well and caused the winner of the United States Open 2021 to suffer.

Faced with Davidovich, whom he had already beaten twice in as many confrontations, his runs and support betrayed no restraint or embarrassment.

“However, it was hurting me during the warm-up. I wasn’t moving well, but the painkillers helped I guess and then it got better as the game went on,” he said afterwards.

He also started strong, breaking it at the start. Advantage that he kept without ever being worried on his service games to win the first set.

In the second set, the debates were rebalanced, the Spaniard making fewer unforced errors and more than resisting in the exchanges, despite a disturbing wind.

Then a breath of concern rustled in stadium N.1, when Medvedev found himself on the ground after slipping, trying to run towards a drop shot from Davidovich, who erased a break point.

It was not the Russian’s ankle, which suffered instantly, but his right thumb cut at the level of the nail, after his right hand accompanied his fall to the ground.

One more boo without consequence, because, after the band-aid break, Medvedev turned his back by saving three break points at 4-3 against him.

Davidovich’s opportunity had just passed. The Russian, on the other hand, did not fail to seize his service, to finish in 1:46.