the spanish tennis player Robert Baptist, number 20 in the world, has qualified this Thursday to play the semifinals of the Mallorca tournament, by defeating the number one in the world, the Russian Daniil Medvedev, 6-3 and 6-2, in 1 hour and 11 minutes on the central grass court of the Mallorca Country Club. Bautista has taken his revenge against Medvedev, who beat him in the quarterfinals in Halle (Germany), in a very complete match by the player from Castellón de la Plana, already recovered from the wrist injury that forced him to resign this year to the season on clay.
Medvedev will not be able to defend the title he won on the grass of Mallorca last year. The Muscovite did not show any signs of being comfortable on the track. Under a scorching sun, he abused dropshots in the first set and unleashed his bad mood by hitting his own bench at the start of the second set. That gesture was reproached by the public and the current number one in the world responded by showing both thumbs down. Medvedev is not enjoying a good year. He has lost the three finals he has played: against Rafael Nadal (Australia), Tim Van Rijthoven (Hertongenbosch) y Hubert Hurkacz (Halle).
Bautista, who reached the quarterfinals due to the withdrawal of Australian Nick Kyrgios, injured, was happy for his victory in the statements he made at the foot of the track. “I had to play very well to beat Medvedev. He beat me last week and it was a very complete match on my part, very solid. Last week I wasn’t convinced I could beat Daniil. This time I had my chances for you and I took advantage of them”, analyzed the man from Castellón. Bautista will face in the semifinals the winner of the match between the Swiss Antoine Bellier and the Dutch Tallon Griekspoor.
On the other hand, the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, sixth in the world, has also qualified to play the semifinals in Mallorca at beat the American Marcos Girón 7-6 (5), 4-6 and 6-3. Tsitsipas will play the semifinals this Friday against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, who defeated German Daniel Altmaier 6-3, 6-4.
