Carreño falls against Khachanov and will play for bronze

Daniil Medvedev, defeated by Pablo Carreño in the quarterfinals, asked himself a question. “Why don't you always play at this level? He would win big tournaments … “. The Spanish had just knocked down the number two in the world and won playing for being in an Olympic final, for to secure the silver already, in front of Karen Khachanov. But today a more human version of Spanish appeared before the Russian. Vulnerable. He fell 6-3 and 6-3 in 1h: 20 and this Saturday (08:00, RTVE and Eurosport) he will have to fight for the bronze against Novak Djokovic, who lost to Alexander Zverev (1-6, 6-3 and 6-1).

On paper, it seemed easier to get into the final against Khachanov, 25th in the ATP, and thereby secure the plate. to have to deal with the bronze match with number one Novak Djokovic, but it is the panorama that is presented to Carreño, who missed a beautiful train. “Today's defeat cannot cost me tomorrow's defeat,” he was quick to warn after the game. In any ATP tournament, I would get on the plane and fly to another tournament. In the Games, you will have to manage the disappointment. “I still have a very good opportunity to win a medal and I cannot miss it,” he encouraged himself.

The gijonés (30 years old and 11th in the ATP) he appeared in the central Ariake Tennis Center, in full heat (30 degrees and 75% humidity) and with the skies threatening a storm, knowing that he was before the great opportunity. But he never found the way. Khachanov, with drives like missiles and serves at more than 200 km / h, he never allowed Carreño to pick up the pace.

In the first set, the Muscovite who trained in Barcelona, ​​broke in the fifth game and did not slacken. In the second, the Russian tower (1.92) continued to measure its shots. And the break fell to 4-2. Carreño was not able to react. What would be the 13th medal of Spanish tennis in some Games is still possible. And it would be bronze.