Daniil Medvedev is into the quarterfinals in Madrid, where he will take on Jiri Lehecka–who knocked out Rafael Nadal in the round of 16.
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev is something of a wild card on surfaces other than hard courts. The Mutua Madrid Open’s No. 3 seed could just as easily win an event on the “natural” surfaces (grass and clay) as lose in the first round. Case in point: Medvedev triumphed at the Rome Masters last year and then marched straight into Roland Garros and promptly lost in the first round to Thiago Seyboth Wild.
He has been hit or miss in Madrid this week. Medvedev was close to bowing out to Sebastian Korda in the third round, and while he won in straight sets over Alexander Bublik on Tuesday there were some patches of scratchy play.
Jiri Lehecka, who took out Rafael Nadal on Tuesday, may well be Medvedev’s trickiest opponent yet.
The surface and altitude favor Lehecka’s game, and he is playing well this fortnight. Certainly Nadal is not the clay-court behemoth he has been in the past, but beating him in Madrid is still an achievement.
Officially Medvedev has a 1-0 record over Lehecka, but it was match at Wimbledon that saw the Czech retire after losing the second set.
Given that they are playing on clay and that Medvedev has looked a bit vulnerable this week, Lehecka is bound to have opportunities for a minor upset. Look for the No. 30 seed to have chances, but Medvedev should sneak through in three.
Cheryl pick: Medvedev in 3
Ricky pick: Lehecka in 3
