Acapulco (Mexico), Feb 24 (AP) Daniil Medvedev took another step toward top spot in the ATP rankings with a dominant 6-1 6-2 second-round victory over Pablo Andujar in the Mexican Open.

The 26-year-old Medvedev, who can replace Novak Djokovic atop the rankings if he wins the title in Acapulco, will play either Taylor Fritz or Yoshihito Nishioka in the quarterfinals.

Also Read | Cristiano Ronaldo Receives Hostile Reception at Wenda Metropolis During ATM vs MUN, UCL 2021-22 Match, CR7 Fumes at Referee for Meaty Challenges by Home Team.

He needed just over an hour to beat Andujar on Wednesday after defending champion Alexander Zverev was kicked out of the Mexican Open for violently smashing his racket on the umpire's chair moments after losing a doubles match.

Medvedev beat Djokovic in the US Open final last September to win first major title and, at his next Grand Slam event, reached the final at the Australian Open last month before losing to Rafael Nadal.

Also Read | UEFA Champions League 2022: Manchester United Play Out Draw Against Atletico Madrid; Ajax Level Against Benfica.

The Mexican Open is played on the hard courts of the Arena GNP in Acapulco. AP

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)