After winning a marathon five-setter to open his Next Gen ATP Finals presented by NEOM campaign, Hamad Medjedovic got the job done in four sets on Wednesday night against second seed Luca Van Assche.
In a 4-2, 2-4, 4-3(7), 4-1 victory, the Serbian saved three set points and battled back from 1/5 down in a pivotal third-set tie-break. In serving out the match, he saved three break points as he closed out the win with two unreturned serves.
"For sure the tie-break changed a lot of things in this match," said the World No. 110. "He had three set points. I stayed focussed on the important points. I was consistent, hitting the ball hard, and I'm glad that I won the tie-break."
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Medjedovic moved to the top of the Red Group at 2-0 behind the win. Both his form and his record leave him in strong position to qualify for the semi-finals, though his place in the knockout stages is not yet confirmed.
"I felt that my backhand today worked really well," said the powerful Serbian, who hit 29 winners, including 13 aces. "I was having confidence playing to his backhand, also on the forehand. I played good from both sides."
The 20-year-old will bid to complete a perfect 3-0 group campaign on Thursday when he meets Abdullah Shelbayh. Van Assche, now 1-1 in Jeddah, will play American Alex Michelsen on the final day of group play.
