By Tony Fairbairn
- Liam Broady [Q] def Oleksii Krutykh [Q] 6-0 4-6 7-6(2)
- Broady v Daniil Medvedev [3] | H2H: First Meeting
DOHA, QATAR – Liam Broady edged out Oleksii Krutykh in a battle of the qualifiers to set up a second round clash with former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev.
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Liam Broady [Q] def Oleksii Krutykh [Q] 6-0 4-6 7-6(2)
Liam Broady is into the second round after edging past Oleksii Krutykh in a last set tiebreak. In a battle of the qualifiers it was the Brit who produced an impressive set of tennis as he dominated from the baseline and serving more consistent numbers.
After a tough hold of serve, Broady got to work on the Ukrainian’s return as he converted both break points for a 4-0 lead. The Brit continued his dominance as he converted his second set point to claim the opening set in a rapid 29 minutes.
Krutykh came out firing to start the second set as he was determined to make a match of this as he created two break points to start the second set. Broady saved both of them to hold before having break point of his own. Unlike the opening set, Broady was wasteful on break point opportunities as he couldn’t convert his opportunity as well as wasting four more break point opportunities in the sixth game.
The Ukrainian’s resilience earned his rewards in the next game as he turned up the aggression to break to love for a 4-3 lead. Broady would respond with a break back of his own before cheaply conceding another break of serve in the next game. This time Krutykh didn’t waste his opportunity as closed out the set to 15 to level the match at one set all.
In the final set there were a wide range of momentum shifts as Krutykh saved two break points in the second game before breaking in the next game for a 2-1 lead. After consolidating for a 3-1 lead, the Ukrainian turned to passive and defensive play allowing Broady back into the match.
An improvement in quality on return allowed Broady to reel off four games in a row to take a 5-3 lead and on the brink of a big win on the ATP tour. However Broady couldn’t capitalise on the opportunity as Krutykh broke back for 5-4. As the tension of the match elevated, a tiebreak would decide the winner of this rollercoaster match.
It was the Brit who produced his best tennis when it really mattered as he won seven of the nine points to seal a big win and a place in the second round in Doha.
Liam Broady [Q] v Daniil Medvedev [3] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Liam Broady [Q] v Daniil Medvedev [3] | H2H: First Meeting |
| ATP Doha 2023 | Doha, Qatar |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $24,165 |
| Fourth on Centre Court (16:30 GMT) | Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
A tough test awaits Broady in the next round as he faces third seed Daniil Medvedev who is in fine form having won Rotterdam last week.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2023)
| H2H: | Liam Broady (WR 147) | Daniil Medvedev (WR 8) |
| Tournament Previous Best | QR1 (2018) | N/A |
| 1st Serve % | 58.1 | 66.6 |
| Service Games Won % | 85.3 | 83.3 |
| Break Points Saved % | 71.8 | 70.4 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 55 | 57.2 |
| Break Points Converted % | 46 | 47 |
Broady will need to keep up his returning efficiency for the season as he is facing an opponent who has recorded similar statistics this season against higher quality opponents.
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Playing styles and predictions
After a disappointing Australian Open campaign, Medvedev is back into the world’s top ten after a sensational week saw him win the Rotterdam title. The third seed will look to continue the momentum as he looks to become a threat for the big titles once again after an underwhelming last six months.
Broady will look to take advantage of Medvedev’s jetlag and lack of familiarity of Doha conditions by playing the match on his terms through his serve and forehand. Meanwhile Medvedev will look to return accurately forcing Broady into uncomfortable positions, neutralising the Brit’s power. The form guide states that Medvedev will win this but it may be a lot closer than suspected especially if the Brit can serve well.
Prediction: Medvedev in three sets.
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