Daniil Medvedev: 'I will use this serve position until everyone cracks it'

The Canadian blasted 29 aces and he delivered better numbers behind his first serve to face just four break points.

On the other hand, Medvedev played better on the second serve and in the crucial points that decided the winner, fending off all eight break points he faced and scoring one break in sets two and three to overcome the tough opponent and secure the place in the semis.

Facing three set points at 4-5 in the opening set, Daniil won five points in a row for a great escape but he lost the tie break 7-2, winning just nine points on the return in the entire set. The Russian broke at the start of the second set and he stayed focused in the closing service games, repelling four break points to maintain the lead and send the match into a decider where he had the momentum on his side.

Medvedev sailed through his service games in set number three and he broke Raonic in game nine before securing the win with a forehand cross court winner in the next game to stay on the title course. After the match, Daniil praised Milos and his serve, also speaking about Alex de Minaur and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, his potential rivals in the battle for the final.

Asked about his unorthodox service position, Daniil explained he started to use it at Wimbledon last year while trailing two sets to love against Adrian Mannarino and he will continue to do that as long as his rivals have troubles to read his initial shot and start returning it better.

It is always tough to play against Milos, he is one of the toughest opponents on Tour because it is just unbelievable how good his serve is. I knew I had to hold my serve and despite giving him a lot of opportunities I have managed not to lose it even once so Im really happy with the match and the win.

I started to use the new serving position last year at Wimbledon while trailing two sets to love, changing my serve position and managing to make the damage, securing a comeback and even having a break in the deciding set.

I found the perfect one and I will continue to use it until everybody finds the way to return it. Both Alex de Minaur and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are amazing players. Alex is coming up through the rankings despite almost being a junior and he is a great fighter.

Jo is coming back from an injury, I practiced with him here and he played really great tennis. It is going to be a great match between these two, I have no idea who is going to win and as soon as they finish I will start preparing for my next opponent.