“Sorry for the ball”: Landaluce apologizes as Medvedev responds after net exchange in Rome

Daniil Medvedev advanced from a very complicated match against Martin Landaluce 1-6, 6-4, 7-5, in which the Spaniard seriously troubled the Russian, but ultimately the experience of the former world No. 1 prevailed. The Russian prepares to challenge Jannik Sinner’s unstoppable streak in the Rome Open semifinals.

It was an especially difficult duel for the world No. 9, who had to suffer and recover from a break down in the third set against a notable Landaluce. Medvedev returns to the semifinals of a Masters 1000 for the 18th time in his career and for the second time in Rome, where he won the title in 2023.

“He played unreal at the beginning,” Medvedev said about his opponent Landaluce – currently world No. 94 and who will rise almost 30 positions in the ATP Ranking to No. 65 next Monday. “If he plays like he did in the first set of every match, he will be Top 5 by the end of the year, in Turin… When you’re young, it’s tough to play a full match like this, so I just fought. I’m happy that I managed to seal the victory.”

Medvedev failed to convert three match points on return at 5-4, but kept his composure until the final minutes. After going up 6-5, he earned a break to love – taking advantage of the tension that had built up on his opponent.

“I am happy to have won such a tough match. On clay, I feel there are more swings, more momentum shifts, so I'm pleased to have fully returned to the match after the first set, and also to have come back after a slow start in the third,” commented Medvedev about Landaluce. “In the end, I felt I was playing better than him, whether due to physical or perhaps tennis-related reasons.

"I was not able to capitalize on all the opportunities I had before, but I'm content to have given my all and ultimately clinched the victory.”"

A particular moment occurred during the exchange between both players at the net. After the handshake, television cameras captured the comments they shared after two hours and 24 minutes of play.

“Great battle,” Medvedev told his opponent while greeting him after the match.

“Sorry for the ball (smash),” said Landaluce, apologizing for a recent shot that unintentionally hit Medvedev a few points earlier.

“Oh yes! There’s no problem. I was annoyed at the time, but it was to win the point,” Medvedev replied with a smile. “Good fight, good fight.”

Medvedev now prepares for his duel against Jannik Sinner this Friday in the semifinals, in which the Italian leads the head-to-head 9–7. Although it appears close, Sinner has won 9 of their last 10 encounters. However, this will be the first time they face each other on clay courts.