The pair will meet in the semifinals of the Astana Open after winning their respective matches on Friday
Djokovic and Medvedev will clash in Kazakhstan. © Nir Keidar / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Novak Djokovic will meet Daniil Medvedev in the last four of the Astana Open after both men produced impressive performances in winning their quarterfinal matches on Friday.
Fourth seed Djokovic continued his strong recent form by powering past Russia’s Karen Khachanov, 6-4 6-3, with the Serb pursuing a fourth title of the season and a landmark 90th of his career.
Medvedev set up a mouthwatering showdown with the 21-time Grand Slam winner by blasting past Roberto Bautista Agut in equally impressive fashion in their quarterfinal at the ATP 500 indoor hard-court event.
Seeded second in Astana, Medvedev needed just over one hour to blitz his Spanish rival 6-1 6-1, as the 26-year-old Russian pursues a second title of 2022.
A Medvedev Masterclass 👏@DaniilMedwed moves into the #AstanaOpen semi-finals with a stunning 6-1 6-1 win over Bautista Agut#AstanaOpenpic.twitter.com/kA7rQN6gKX
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 7, 2022
Djokovic, 35, has faced Medvedev on ten previous occasions, with the Serb boasting the upper hand with six wins.
The last time the pair met was in the final of the 2021 ATP Paris Masters 1000, when Djokovic won a three-set tussle.
Medvedev was toppled from his world number one ranking following a disappointing fourth-round exit at the US Open last month, but has stated his intent to finish the season strongly.
Sealed with an ACE! 🔥@DjokerNole moves on in Astana with a 6-4 6-3 win over Khachanov. Djokovic awaits the winner of Medvedev vs Bautista Agut#AstanaOpenpic.twitter.com/0J7Wr3fTDr
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 7, 2022
Elsewhere in Astana, Russian fifth seed Andrey Rublev booked his place in the semifinals after a routine victory over unseeded Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in their match earlier on Friday.
Rublev next meets Greek third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who bested Polish number seven seed Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets.
Russia’s Rublev powers on at Kazakh showpiece
The semifinals will be played on Saturday before the tournament final on Sunday in the Kazakh capital.
The winner of the men’s singles will take home just over $355,000, with the runner-up pocketing around $190,000.
