Daniil Medvedev played a really solid match to take down Denis Shapovalov in straight sets 7-5 7-5 to move on in Cincinnati.
Once again the Russian didn't play as well as he could have. It's been a strange return for Medvedev to North American as his level is far off from what he showed last year. He did not play for over a month so it's possible that it takes him time to get there. After all, his main goal is the US Open.
While not superb it was still better than the round one match as the Russian mostly waited for his chances. He did not force the issue as he tends to, and it worked out well. Daniil took an early 3-1 break but surrendered it not long after that. The crucial game came at 5-5 with Medvedev waiting for mistakes by Shapovalov and getting them.
7-5 was the score in the opening set as Medvedev had 15 winners compared to only 7 by Shapovalov. The 2nd set was much better by Shapovalov but he was only able to keep the Russian from many chances. He did not force a single break point and that was the issue. Eventually, Medvedev got his break point chance and finished off the match 7-5.