Tallon Griekspoor achieved a notable upset by defeating Daniil Medvedev at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, progressing to the semifinals. After saving multiple match points, he will face Stefanos Tsitsipas. Other contenders include Felix Auger-Aliassime and Quentin Halys, who are also making significant strides in the tournament.
In a remarkable upset at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Tallon Griekspoor defeated top-seeded Daniil Medvedev, marking a career-defining win for the Dutch player. After trailing a set behind, Griekspoor showcased impressive resilience, ultimately securing a 2-6, 7-6 (7), 7-5 victory, which included saving four match points in the second set. He now advances to the ATP 500 semifinals to face No. 4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Griekspoor’s journey to the semifinals has not been easy. He edged past qualifier Roman Safiullin in the first round, fighting off three match points and later overcame defending champion Ugo Humbert. Griekspoor expressed his joy over the win, stating, “I’m absolutely thrilled with this win. Daniil is an incredible player and competitor. He’s been at the top of the game for years, so this is a huge victory for me.”
In the first set, Medvedev displayed exceptional skill, concluding the set quickly at 27 minutes while maintaining a flawless performance. Griekspoor, ranked 47th in the world, did not waver. After recovering from an early break in the second set, he adopted a serve-and-volley strategy and fought valiantly to win the tiebreak.
After securing the second set, Griekspoor reflected on the match, illustrating how the momentum shifted in his favor. He noted, “Once I broke back, I felt the momentum shift a little in my favor. I had some luck on the match points I saved and it took a few tries to close it out.”
Medvedev, who was in pursuit of his third consecutive Dubai semifinal, acknowledged the turning point in the match, stating, “(Tallon) started playing better in some moments… Sometimes it happens: you go all the way like this — a little bit crazy. Let’s see where it brings him.”
Griekspoor’s victory propels him to face Tsitsipas, who recently triumphed over Matteo Berrettini in a match that lasted past midnight. Tsitsipas, marking his first semifinal since July, expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, “It’s a great feeling being back so deep in a tournament… it was a difficult match, lots of ups and downs.”
In the competing half of the draw, Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Marin Cilic to secure his second semifinal appearance in a week. Auger-Aliassime fought fiercely for over two hours, taking note of the importance of seizing opportunities in matches. He mentioned, “Now the level is so high everywhere… I’m glad that it went my way and another semifinal, it’s great.”
Auger-Aliassime will next contend against Quentin Halys, who progressed to his first ATP 500 semifinal after defeating Lucky Loser Luca Nardi. Halys reflected on his recent performances, expressing joy over his form and tenacity throughout the competition, especially given his limited match experience prior to the tournament.
Tallon Griekspoor’s exceptional victory over Daniil Medvedev at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships showcased his resilience and skill, propelling him to the semifinals. Griekspoor will now face Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has also made a notable comeback. Meanwhile, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Quentin Halys complete a competitive field, highlighting the evolving dynamics of the tournament. As the competition progresses, this year’s championships continue to deliver thrilling results, promising an exciting conclusion.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
