Daniil Medvedev is into yet another hard court Masters 1000 semifinal after defeating Holger Rune at the Indian Wells Open after a fiery argument between the pair.
Medvedev was last year's runner-up in Indian Wells. This is despite the 2021 US Open champion complaining vociferously about the speed of the court, which he felt was too slow for a hard court.
This year's Australian Open runner-up has always been a unique personality on the court. A recent example of this was Medvedev being unhappy with a cameraman in one of his previous matches at this year's event.
The same can also be said of Rune, who beat Taylor Fritz after saving a match point in the last round. Rune has angered some opponents with his antics, which make him a somewhat divisive figure in the tennis world.
That meant a confrontation between the two was always possible. This happened at the start of the second set, but Medvedev's level proved to be too good for his younger opponent before and after this moment.
Medvedev created the first break point opportunity of the match in the third game, but could not take advantage. Yet, Rune then squandered three break point chances at 3-2, including missing one golden opportunity off his backhand.
The Dane was made to pay for this in the very next game, as Medvedev broke, but this year's Australian Open champion did not consolidate that advantage. Despite saving three more break points, Rune converted the fourth to make it 4-4.
Unfortunately for Rune, he lost his serve at 5-5, despite holding a game point at 40-30. Medvedev served it out to take the set 7-5, but the fiery moment came in the first game of the next set.
Medvedev played a drop volley at the net, which Rune got too quickly. But he elected to go hard directly at Medvedev, who was very close to the net and got hit by Rune's shot.
Rune did briefly raise his racket in apology, but Medvedev was furious. He signaled to Rune that he was watching him while visibly annoyed, which Rune simply responded too by laughing.
The Dane then sarcastically applauded Medvedev while he continued to express annoyance, before the umpire asked both players to calm down, which they eventually did. The crowd were clearly loving the drama.
Rune seemed to be inspired by that moment and broke Medvedev's serve in the next game. But the Russian stayed focused as always and immediately got the break back in the next game.
In the end, Medvedev only needed one more break, which he got in the fifth game. Rune was battling hard and trying to vary his game, but his opponent's trademark consistency proved to be too much for him.
Medvedev won the match 7-5 6-4. As the players shook hands, Medvedev said to Rune that he was not aware that he apologized for hitting him and could be heard saying "sorry man" to the Dane, which will probably have cleared the air.
Last year's runner-up will play Tommy Paul next for a place in the final.
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