Madrid Masters - Quarterfinal (Day 2) Prediction

Daniil Medvedev seeks to progress to his first semifinal here at Madrid as Jannik Sinner withdraws due to injury.

Sinner vs Auger-Aliassime

Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime progresses to his first Masters 1000 semifinal since Paris 2022 following top seed Sinner's withdrawal.

Medvedev vs Lehecka

Daniil Medvedev didn't have the best history here at this event, but has done well to reverse his fortunes this week. The Russian had never gone past the Round of 16 in Madrid but has played some brilliantly patient tennis to wear his opponents down and turn the tables. Although he was just a couple of points from defeat in his second round against Korda, he reigned the ropes in during the tiebreaker. In his next match, he saw a 4-0 lead evaporate in the second set but eventually served it out against the unpredictable sorcery of Alexander Bublik. Now, with his two biggest rivals Alcaraz and Sinner gone, can the Russian take advantage of the draw and finally clinch his first title since Rome last year? If he does, it would be quite the ironic feat; a man who once claimed to "hate" the surface would have won only two titles over the span of a year: and they would both be Masters 1000s on the dirt! It's been amusing to see Daniil's character arc on the clay play out.

Jiri Lehecka brought out a monster on serve against Rafa Nadal. Thumping down bullets from the baseline, the Czech combined this scary serving performance with deep, penetrative and measured power off both wings. It ended with a closely fought straight-set victory as Nadal bid farewell to Madrid in emotional scenes. But the formula that Lehecka has concocted here is sure to unsettle his 6'6" opponent.

Medvedev still doesn't look as comfortable on the clay as I'd like. His movement at times looks like the idiomatic giraffe on roller skates. And while he has faced tough opposition through the tournament, none have had the mentality and killer instinct required to finish him off. I believe this is where Jiri sets himself apart from the rest. Not only does he hold a style of aggression that is both controlled and calculated - a style that is known to trouble Daniil - but his mental strength is also impressively resolute. And if he serves the way he did on Tuesday, he may just have the third seed on the ropes.

Prediction: Lehecka in 3