'Better player' Medvedev into Marseille semifinals

MARSEILLE, France — Daniil Medvedev reached his first semifinal of the year at the Marseille Open on Friday (Saturday, Manila time) by defeating Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets.

The former World No. 1 from Russia came through 6-3, 6-2 in 78 minutes, saving five break points.

"I didn't start the match well, he had a lot of break points," said Medvedev, the 2021 champion in Marseille.

"I served good a couple of times. He made some mistakes. It's part of tennis. Then I managed to take control of the match and I feel like I was a little bit of a better player."

World number eight Medvedev has endured a disappointing start to the season, suffering second-round exits at the Australian Open and Rotterdam.

"I played two good matches here, I didn't lose my serve," added Medvedev who will face Hamad Medjedovic for a place in Sunday's final.

Medjedovic, the world 96 from Serbia, defeated Germany's 80th-ranked Daniel Altmaier 7-5, 6-7 (7/9), 6-4.

Defending champion Ugo Humbert reached the semifinals for the fourth time by seeing off Italy's Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 6-4.

The second-seeded Frenchman committed 29 unforced errors before securing his 150th tour-level victory.

On Saturday (Sunday, Manila time), Humbert will take on Belgium's Zizou Bergs who made the semifinals when China's Zhang Zhizhen was forced to retire after dropping the first set 7-5.