In a commanding display, Daniil Medvedev, currently ranked as the world number three, showcased his prowess on the court against German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann, securing a spot in his maiden Italian Open semi-final with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory on Thursday.
Medvedev, who has described himself as a "hard court specialist", had not managed to win a match in Rome in previous editions of the tournament.
However, this year, he has displayed exceptional form and played some of his finest tennis, making it to the clay-court semis for the first time since the Monte Carlo tournament in 2019.
"I am feeling great," Medvedev said. "I said before the tournament I was feeling really great in practice. "It is always a danger to say this if you lose the first round and you think, 'Why did I say this'. But I am proving it."
Medvedev soaked up Hanfmann's powerful hitting and controlled the baseline exchanges, dominating with his big first serve to wrap up the win in an hour and 20 minutes.
"He was struggling more than me and I am happy with the win and being in the semis," Medvedev said of Hanfmann, who upset Monte Carlo champion Andrey Rublev and ninth seed Taylor Fritz to reach the last eight.
"I knew I had to put as many balls into the court as possible because he plays aggressively. Maybe he didn't play his best match but that is how it works... I am happy I could neutralise his attacking style."
Medvedev will meet either world number five Stefanos Tsitsipas or Croatian Borna Coric, who play their quarter-final later, as he continues his quest for his fifth title of the season, having triumphed in Rotterdam, Doha, Dubai and Miami.
(With Reuters inputs)
