Duckworth pushes Medvedev but falls short in Almaty Open semi

All week, Australia’s James Duckworth has bucked the chances in Kazakhstan, however his progress in the direction of only a second ATP Tour ultimate was ended one match brief by former world primary Daniil Medvedev.

Duckworth had rattled off 5 victories in seven days on the Almaty Open after progressing by way of qualifying and later knocking out the quantity seven seed Gabriel Diallo, of Canada, after which defeating Italian quantity three seed — and world quantity 22 — Flavio Cobolli.

On Saturday, he went toe to toe with quantity two seed Medvedev within the semi-finals, profitable a gripping tiebreaker to take the primary set, earlier than the Russian got here again to win 6-7 (8-10) 6-3 6-2.

Duckworth reached the ultimate in Almaty 4 years in the past however his age (33), harm file and world rating (quantity 138) recommended a repeat was inconceivable.

Medvedev, who had received their solely different assembly, admitted he was happy to win after being pushed so onerous by Duckworth.

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“I believe the extent was unbelievable as we speak, from each me and my opponent,” he mentioned.

“Within the tie-break, I might have performed higher, but it surely occurs. All through the match there have been some wonderful factors from each of us, so I am actually completely satisfied to have the ability to win this match.”

Duckworth’s excellent week moved him as much as quantity 108 on the ATP dwell rankings.

Medvedev has had a turbulent yr, together with a giant wonderful for a meltdown throughout his first-round defeat on the US Open, and he’s aiming to win his first tour-level title since Rome in 2023.

His kind has picked up in current weeks although, and by reaching his fortieth tour-level ultimate, he has turn into the second energetic male participant after Novak Djokovic (143) to attain that feat.

In Sunday’s ultimate he’ll face France’s Corentin Moutet, the quantity eight seed, who beat Alex Michelsen of the US in straight units.

AAP