Defending champion Daniil Medvedev locks horns with world No. 9, Taylor Fritz, in the finals of the Diriyah Tennis Cup on Saturday.
The 26-year-old was awarded a bye in the first round as he was among the top-ranked players to take part in the competition. Champion in 2019, Medvedev was one of the frontrunners to go the distance in Riyadh. He has lived up to his billing so far in the exhibition tournament.
In the quarterfinals, Medvedev outplayed Alexander Zverev, who returned to action after suffering a devastating injury at the French Open, earlier in the year. Zverev defeated Dominic Thiem in his comeback match but Medvedev ended his run in straight sets 6-0, 6-4. Medvedev followed it up with another comprehensive performance against Stan Wawrinka in the semis. The 3-time Grand Slam champion lost 4-6, 4-6.
The American star also received a first-round bye like Medvedev. Fritz came into the competition after losing in the semifinals at the ATP Finals. He has continued his good form at the tournament.
In the quarterfinals, the 25-year-old defeated Hubert Hurkacz in a close affair. The Polish youngster fought hard but eventually succumbed to a 7-6, 7-5 defeat. In the semis, Hurkacz took on British No. 1, Cameron Norrie. This was another riveting affair and Fritz showed great determination to pick up a 7-6, 4-6, 10-6 win.
The head-to-head scoreline currently stands at 1-0 in favor of Medvedev. The former world No. 1 defeated Fritz in straight sets 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 in the quarterfinals of the Western & Southern Open earlier this year.
Prediction: Daniil Medvedev to win in three sets.
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