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Medvedev avoids Llamas Ruiz scare in Rome to reach last 16

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Clock Icon7 HoursTennis

Daniil Medvedev booked his place in the last 16 of the Italian Open with a hard-fought victory over Pablo Llamas Ruiz.

The seventh seed came from behind to win 3-6 6-4 6-2 in two hours and nine minutes, setting up a round of 16 clash with Thiago Agustin Tirante.

Llamas Ruiz made a strong start in Rome, converting his very first break point in the opening game before clinching the first set with another break point in the ninth game.

Medvedev answered back in the second, with one converted break point enough for the Russian to force a deciding set in the Italian capital.

And Medvedev carried his momentum into the third as two early breaks saw him race into a 4-1 lead.

Llamas Ruiz replied with a break of his own, only for Medvedev to return the favour and go 5-2 up before serving out for the win.

Data Debrief: Medvedev reaches Masters 1000 century in 2020s

Medvedev (100) is now the third player to claim 100+ ATP Masters 1000 match wins this decade, along with Jannik Sinner (118) and Alexander Zverev (116).

At ATP Masters 1000 events, Medvedev has now won his last nine matches against qualifiers and lucky losers, with his last defeat coming to compatriot Aslan Karatsev in Madrid (R16) in 2023.