A new career-high ranking is the reward for Daniil Medvedev after reaching his first ATP Masters 1000 final.
The 23-year-old Russian defeated compatriot Karen Khachanov in the first all-Russian semifinal at this level, posting a 6-1 7-6(6) victory in Montreal.
A first Masters 1000 final for @DaniilMedwed! ????
He defeats compatriot Karen Khachanov 6-1 7-6(6) to go the distance at #CoupeRogers! ???????? pic.twitter.com/mbf9y6rdKy
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 10, 2019
Medvedev will now rise above Khachanov in the rankings, becoming the new top-ranked Russian from next week.
But before Medvedev celebrates his new career-high ranking of No.8 – which could improve to No.7 if he wins the title – he needs to prepare for a final showdown against Rafael Nadal.
The top-seeded Spaniard advanced to the final when France’s Gael Monfils withdrew from their semifinal with an ankle injury.
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Monfils had won a rain-delayed quarterfinal battle with Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut earlier in the day, scoring a hard-fought 6-4 3-6 7-6(2) victory.
It will be Nadal’s first career meeting against Medvedev, who has not lost a set this tournament. The world No.2 is aiming to win a record 35th ATP Masters 1000 title.
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