Perhaps surprisingly, the two players had only played each other once before going into this one, with Medvedev prevailing in the quarterfinals of Cincinnati two years ago, 7-6 (1), 6-3.
This time Fritz got his revenge—and in straight sets, too.
After nine straight holds to start the match, it looked like Medvedev was going to make it 10 in a row, serving at 4-5, 30-15, but Fritz snuck out three points to clinch the first set. History repeated itself with Medvedev serving at 2-3, 30-15 in the second set, with Fritz winning the next three points—and eventually the next eight consecutive points—to break for 4-2 and hold at love for 5-2.
Medvedev held to close to 5-3 but then Fritz served it out at love.
The American finished the match with a 3:2 ratio of winners to unforced errors, 21 to 14, converting two of his four break point chances—and fighting off all three of Medvedev’s.
Jannik Sinner and Alex de Minaur will play each other tonight in the second round-robin match of the Ilie Nastase Group.
