Diriyah Tennis Cup champion Daniil Medvedev began his defense of the trophy with a stunning quarterfinal victory over German star Alexander Zverev as the world’s top 12 players returned to the Kingdom for the first edition of the tournament since 2019.
The three-day competition with a super tie-break format began on Thursday in the setting of At-Turaif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Diriyah and will conclude with the final on 10 December.
Medvedev, who has never lost in Saudi Arabia, won the first set 6–0 despite suffering a minor injury to his calf. The world No 7 then went on to see off a competitive second set 6-4 against Zverev, who was making his eagerly-awaited return after seven months out from injury.
Medvedev said, “I thought I played better in the second set than in the first, but Sasha was actually getting better as well.”
“In the end my injury was not that bad. I was slipping unconsciously. My knee hit my calf, felt like a foul in football. It was painful to walk, but funnily enough, running was much better. I love the crowd and the way they cheer for me and look forward to tomorrow. We still have a few weeks before the Australian Open to do more preparation but here I am and I want to win.
Briton Cameron Norrie defeated Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios in straight sets in the first round before overcoming Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals.
Nouri, a 2022 Wimbledon semi-finalist, was quick and skilful in his 6-4, 6-4 win over world No. 4 Tsitsipas – forcing the Greek star into unforced errors in front of a lively crowd under the Diriyah Arena lights.
“The crowd really helped me,” Norrie said. “Playing in a stadium like this also helps me a lot in preparing for the season. It’s been a great day and the crowd really started chanting our names tonight. We are trying to inspire some young Saudi players and I saw some kids and that is why I am here playing – to inspire a new generation.
Stan Wawrinka, the only competitor in his thirties in this week’s field, proved once again that he is still of the highest caliber by beating world number eight Andrey Rublev 6-7, 6-2, 10-6 Of (tie break).
“It’s my second time here, I’m enjoying being here. Lots of things going on,” Wawrinka, who visited Saudi in 2019, told Arab News.
“We don’t have a lot of time now because we have to prepare for the tournament in the focus that we are here – 27 days or so on site to try to do our best. But I love being here And like I said, hopefully, I’ll have time to travel more in the next few days or maybe even next year.
“I’m glad I won today, and I’m confident I’ll be able to reach grade level; We played a great game and I’m excited to be here tomorrow in the semi-finals.
World number nine American Taylor Fritz completed the line-up for tomorrow’s semi-finals after beating Dominic Strier 7-6, 7-5.
Earlier in the day, four round one matches followed with a fast-moving best-of-three super tie-break format. Wawrinka, Nouri, Hubert Hercz and Alexander Zverev won. The top four seeded players in the event – Tsitsipas, Medvedev, Rublev and Fritz – all received byes.
In addition to the singles competition, this year the Diriyah Tennis Cup also has a doubles competition.
During the three-day tournament, Saudi tennis fans will be treated to exciting matches and the chance to have exclusive conversations with some of the world’s top tennis players.
First round results:
Stan Wawrinka beat Matteo Berrettini (5-10, 10-4, 10-6)
Alexander Zverev defeated Dominic Thiem (10-8, 10-7)
Cameron Norrie beat Nick Kyrgios (10-6, 10-6)
Hubert Hercz beat Dominic Stryker (10-7, 10-5)
The Diriyah Tennis Cup continues with semi-finals on Friday and a new doubles competition for the losers on Thursday:
singles semi-finals
Daniil Medvedev vs Stan Wawrinka
Cameron Norrie vs Taylor Fritz
doubles semi-finals
Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem vs. Andrey Rublev and Matteo Berretini
Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Dominic Striker and Hubert Hercz
The semi-finals will take place on Friday, 9 December.