Former champion Daniil Medvedev had to work to beat steamy heat as well as Aussie opponent Alex de Minaur as the third seed returned to the US Open quarter-finals on Monday.
The 2021 champion at Flushing Meadows recovered after dropping the first set, posting a 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 victory to reach the last eight here for the fourth time in five editions.
Medvedev, who took full advantage of ice towels and was given an inhaler by the tournament doctor during a changeover for breathing difficulties, overcame losses to de Minaur in their last two meetings – including last month in Toronto.
“Brutal match, brutal match, because (of) brutal conditions,” the winner said. “So tough, so humid today.
“When I practised before the match, I was like, ‘Oh, my God, it’s going to be tough. It was going to be tough for everyone who was there today..’
“Some people bear better with the heat, some people worse. I feel like I’m not the best one in this case.
“At the same time I feel like I fight many times through it quite well and that’s kind of what happened today.
“I managed to raise my level. It was amazing last three sets, so I’m really happy. Hope I can play the same way going further.”
The winner will bid for the semis against good friend Andrey Rublev after the eighth seed put out Brit Jack Draper 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Mededev owns that series, with five wins from seven matches against Rublev – godfather of his infant daughter. He finished off de Minaur on a first match point.
After learning his lesson in the opening set Medvedev flipped the switch to suddenly take command on the sultry evening with the stadium roof closed.
He ran out the fourth-round win in two and three-quarter hours.
The former No. 1 prevented de Minaur from a second straight quarter-final appearance in New York.
