Medvedev slips on Berlin grass

Berlin, Germany– Top seed Daniil Medvedev has crashed out of the Halle Open, a traditional Wimbledon warm-up, beaten in straight sets by Roberto Bautista Agut on Friday.

Medvedev lost, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3), against the 35-year-old Spaniard. Eighth seed Bautista Agut now boasts a 5-2 career record against the 2021 US Open winner.

“To beat Daniil on this court, you have to play really good” said Bautista Agut.

With a poor record on the grass surface, Medvedev has never reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, missing last year’s tournament due to a ban on Russian athletes over the war in Ukraine.

In Friday’s final match, third seed Andrey Rublev came from behind to defeat Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, setting up a meeting with Bautista Agut.

Olympic gold medallist Alexander Zverev also progressed into the semifinals after defeating Chilean Nicolas Jarry. The 26-year-old German won in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3.