Daniil Medvedev's keeps Russia's hopes alive with win over Pablo Carreno Busta

Medvedev came out with a purpose in this match understanding that he needed to win this match and he needed to do it in straight sets. Andrey Rublev complicated things for Russia by losing to Lopez and Medvedev showed his intentions early. He came out on fire blasting away winners not caring about the loud Madrid crowd.

He took a 2-0 lead, then a 4-0 lead and then a 5-0 lead having the chance to finish off the set with a bagel. He lost his serve at 5-0 serving for the set but he was able to finish off the set with 6-2. Carreno Busta could not find a solution yet the break he pulled back signaled things to come. The Spaniard came out strong in the 2nd mixing things up which frustrated Medvedev.

The Russian rushed in rallies and it gave Carreno Busta a 3-0 lead with a double break chance to go up 4-0. He failed to do that and it proved very costly as Medvedev finally found his rhythm again starting to play a lot better. He pulled it back to 3-3 and even broke his opponent for a 4-3 lead which was catastrophic for Busta who was nearly up 4-0.

Medvedev went up 5-3 with a chance to finish it off right there but he failed to do so. He had a match point at 5-4 but Carreno Busta was able to pull it out on Medvedev's serve to make it 5-5. The match went into the tiebreak and in there it was Medvedev who finally finished it off with 7-3. A huge win for Medvedev who keeps Russia in play for the quarterfinals. A pivotal double is coming up with the winner guaranteed in the quarterfinals.