It was looking like that Nadal will lost to 23-year-old debutant Medvedev broke serve twice in the decider to stand on the brink of a first career victory over the Spaniard. The Spaniard must beat Tsitsipas on Friday to have a chance of advancing. Nadal is also looking to keep hold of the world number one ranking.
Meanwhile Stefanos Tsitsipas crushed defending champion Alexander Zverev 6-3 6-2 to book his place in the last four of the ATP Finals with a match to spare. Tsitsipas is the first Greek player to qualify for the elite eight-man season-ender, backed up his opening win over Daniil Medvedev with a flamboyant performance in London.
His straight-sets victory secured a top-two place in the group and left Zverev, world number one Rafael Nadal and Medvedev scrapping to join him in Saturday’s semi-finals