Medvedev growing in confidence on grass
Daniil Medvedev is set for just the third grass-court semi-final of his ATP Tour career at the Mallorca Championships.
Medvedev, who has reached two hard-court grand slam finals, as well as winning last year's ATP Finals, has never been beyond the last four on grass. He has only done so once on clay.
The Russian will get another chance on Friday, though, against Pablo Carreno Busta.
That is his reward for beating Casper Ruud, who Medvedev acknowledged likely also does not favour the grass season.
"I don't think grass is his best surface, but in the first set he was playing top level and I couldn't get any break points," Medvedev said after beating Ruud 7-5 6-1.
"But as soon as he started serving a bit worse and making some errors, I tried to use it as fast as I could.
"It was important to win the first set and not in a tie-break, this gives me a boost of confidence."
Carreno Busta defeated Australian Jordan Thompson in straight sets but was not followed into the semis by either of the other Spaniards in action.
Third seed Roberto Bautista Agut was toppled by Sam Querrey, as Feliciano Lopez lost to Adrian Mannarino.
At the Viking International in Eastbourne, there is an Australian in each semi-final after wins for Alex de Minaur and Max Purcell.
De Minaur wore down Vasek Pospisil 6-4 6-4 and now faces Kwon Soon-woo, who was similarly comfortable against Ilya Ivashka.
Purcell battled past Andreas Seppi, recovering from a tough second set in which he succumbed 6-1, but must now face another Italian.
Third seed Lorenzo Sonego secured his semis spot by blasting past Alexander Bublik 6-1 7-5.
