Sawt Falasteen - Medvedev downs French giant to reach Dubai quarter-finals

Medvedev, the 2023 champion, won 6-4, 6-4, standing firm against Mpetshi Perricard whose service speed was regularly clocked at 140 mph.

"You don't have any time, so it's pure reflexes," said Medvedev of facing the 6ft 8in (2.03m) French player.

"It makes it even easier, because if you don't return it, you're not even disappointed. There were some second serves I missed and I was disappointed. You just try to do your best and I managed it pretty well today."

Mpetshi Perricard saved eight of 10 break points, but was undone by 44 unforced errors.

Medvedev, who is chasing his first title since Rome last year, will next face Tallon Griekspoor, who defeated defending champion Ugo Humbert 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Felix Auger-Aliassime set up a quarter-final clash with former US Open champion Marin Cilic after seeing off Nuno Borges 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Cilic earned back-to-back tour-level wins for the first time since his title run in Hangzhou last September by beating Alexei Popyrin 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.

L.Hussein--SF-PST