Daniil Medvedev kicked off his grass-court season with victory Thursday, moving past Gilles Simon 7-5, 6-4 to advance to the quarter-finals at the Libema Open in ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
The 26-year-old, who is up to No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, grew into the match against the Frenchman at the ATP 250 grass-court event. Medvedev saved three set points in the first set as he rallied from 2-5 down, before he clicked into gear in the second set to secure victory after one hour and 54 minutes.
The top seed dominated the longer exchanges with his flat hitting to earn a first victory over Simon, improving to 1-3 in their ATP Head2Head series. He will next play Ilya Ivashka after the World No. 49 defeated Finn Emil Ruusuvuori 6-4, 6-2.
Last season Medvedev captured his first grass-court tour-level title in Mallorca. The 13-time tour-level champion is still searching for his first trophy of 2022, with his best result a run to the final at the Australian Open.
[FOLLOW ACTION]
Second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime advanced on his debut in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, eliminating Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(2), 7-6(5) in their first ATP Head2Head meeting.
The Canadian, who held a 10-3 record on grass in 2021, saved both break points he faced against the home favourite and struck 13 aces to triumph after one hour and 48 minutes. The World No. 9 will next face Karen Khachanov after the fifth seed clawed past Pole Kamil Majchrzak 5-7, 7-5, 7-6(5) .
Dutch wild card Tim Van Rijthoven upset World No. 14 Taylor Fritz 6-7(9), 7-5, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals in just his second ATP Tour event.
The World No. 205, who edged Australian qualifier Matthew Ebden in the first round, fired 18 aces to set up a meeting with Hugo Gaston. In a rain-disrupted match, Frenchman Gaston moved past American Jenson Brooksby 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 in two hours and 26 minutes.
In an-all American clash, #NextGenATP star Brandon Nakashima downed Sam Querrey 7-6(4), 7-6(8) in 89 minutes. The 20-year-old, who is making his debut in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, will next play Adrian Mannarino following the Frenchman’s 6-2, 6-3 win over fourth seed Alex de Minaur. Mannarino lifted the trophy at the ATP 250 grass-court event in 2019.
