World No.2 Daniil Medvedev has dropped his first set at this year's US Open, but eventually overcame Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3 6-0 4-6 7-5 to reach his third straight semi-final at Flushing Meadows.
Van de Zandschulp outlasted the Russian in a 20-shot rally and then converted on breakpoint in the fifth game, before taking the third set on Arthur Ashe Stadium, the first sign of weakness Medvedev has shown since arriving in New York.
The Dutch qualifier had enjoyed a remarkable run, taking down 11th seed Diego Schwartzman to reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final, where he fired off 20 forehand winners and was the first player at the tournament to take Medvedev past the two-hour mark.
But the 2019 runner-up, who had 13 aces in the match, came roaring back in the fourth set, winning all but two of his first-serve points and never facing a break point.
Medvedev, who lost in the semi-finals a year ago to eventual winner Dominic Thiem, is one of the main candidates aiming to thwart world No.1 Novak Djokovic's bid for a calendar Grand Slam.
Reuters
