After overcoming the Dimitrov challenge, Daniil Medvedev faces a new one in compatriot Karen Khachanov at the Vienna Open.
Daniil Medvedev won the Vienna Open last year, and there is a very good chance he might do so again. He's playing really solid tennis right now, overcoming a pretty big challenge in Grigor Dimitrov in the previous round. It was a match that he could have lost, but he rallied in time to win and set up this Russian duel in Vienna.
Khachanov missed a lot of time this year due to an injury, but slowly, he's getting back to his best tennis and indoors is where he played some of his best tennis in his career. His only ATP Masters 1000 trophy came indoors in Paris, so Medvedev must be cautious.
Head-to-head:
The matchup so far has gone in Medvedev's favour. We have seen five matches so far, and Khachanov won only one match. Two actually came this year, which is a bit surprising, and Medvedev won both matches. One of them was pretty close, and I'd expect this one to be as well.
Khachanov is a pretty solid player who rarely bombs matches.
Prediction:
While I do think Khachanov can keep this pretty close, I don't really think he can win. The issue for him will be outlasting Medvedev in rallies. He doesn't have the stamina nor the patience of Medvedev in those long rallies, and he likely will try to finish off the rally sooner.
There is a chance he has his day and hits every single shot he goes for, but I don't see it. Medvedev has a high comfort level in Vienna, far more than Khachanov, and I think that will matter. There are just too many things pulling the matchup towards his side.
Prediction: Daniil Medvedev to win in two sets.
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