ZCZC
BSP-04
TENNIS-USA-ATP
Johnson hopes to add hardcourt win to clay and grass titles
WINSTON-SALEM, United States, Aug 25, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Steve Johnson will
try to become the first ATP player this season to win a title on three
different surfaces after reaching the final of the Winston-Salem Open on
Friday.
The American posted a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta to
punch his ticket to Saturday’s hardcourt final where he will face Daniil
Medvedev of Russia.
Johnson, 28, won the US Men’s Clay Court Championship title in Houston in
April and the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships on grass in Rhode Island in
July.
“I thought I played really well from the ground. I played smart,” said
Johnson, who is ranked 34th in the world.
He reached his third final of 2018 by saving six of seven break points and
winning 52 per cent of his second-serve points against the 2016 tournament
champ.
This will be the fourth career meeting between Johnson and Medvedev, who
breezed past Japan’s Taro Daniel 6-1, 6-1 in only 65 minutes.
“It’s a great feeling,” Medvedev said. “I just did what I had to do. I’m
happy to go through.”
Medvedev won almost 75 per cent of his service points and dominated on
Daniel’s second serve, winning 63 per cent of those.
The Russian will try to win his second ATP title after capturing his
maiden crown in January in Sydney, Australia.
Medvedev, who is ranked 57th in the world, has beaten Johnson both times
they have played previously on hardcourts.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1121 hrs