Daniil Medvedev wins 16th straight match to set up ‘interesting’ Alexander Zverev clash at Indian Wells

Daniil Medvedev beat Ilya Ivashka to extend his winning run to 16 matches and set up a meeting with Alexander Zverev in the fourth round of Indian Wells.

Former world No. 1 Medvedev saw his 18-set winning run ended, but rallied to win 6-2 3-6 6-1 against world No. 85 Ivashka.

Zverev also needed three sets to advance, coming through 7-5 1-6 7-5 against world No. 59 Emil Ruusuvuori.

“I think our match could be a lot of rallies. Let’s see. It’s going to be interesting,” said Medvedev.

“I feel like he’s playing better and better, which is normal after a tough injury. He’s someone who was one of the best players on tour, going kind of close to world No. 1, started playing better and better in Grand Slams.

“His injury was unfortunate but I’m sure he’s going to come back. Hopefully next match I can be the winner and I can play some good tennis.”

Medvedev’s best showing at Indian Wells was reaching the last 16 in 2021 and he found it tough going at times against Ivashka.

At the end of the second set, he was heard grumbling to the referee that he would be “as slow as the court” in taking a bathroom break.

But in the third set, he raced into a 5-0 lead to help seal victory.

“I missed less. That’s the only thing you can do. You cannot do more,” he said afterwards.

“It was a matter of a few points. Second and third sets for me, they were kind of the same, the score is completely different. It’s just who plays better the most important points – break points, 30-all. I managed to do better in the third set.”

Zverev was pleased to advance into the fourth round after winning seven fewer points than his opponent.

“I was doing everything I could,” he said. “I felt like he was playing better than me, starting from the second set, and also throughout the third set, I thought he was outplaying me a lot of the time. So I’m just finding a way and I’m happy to do that today.

“He’s an incredibly aggressive opponent, he can hit the ball very hard from both sides. I’m happy that I managed to win, to get it done somehow.

“I wasn’t playing my best and I thought he really was. That’s how it goes sometimes, but I’m happy with the win and I’m happy to move forward.”

Frances Tiafoe enjoyed a 6-3 6-2 win over Jason Kubler to reach the fourth round for the first time in seven appearances.

“I want to make it count, especially at the bigger events this year,” said Tiafoe, who next faces qualifier Alejandro Tabilo.

“I haven’t even scratched the surface. I want to see how far I can go.”

Andy Murray and Jack Draper meet in an all-British clash on Monday evening, while British No. 1 Emma Raducanu faces 13th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia.

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