All the sudden Daniil Medvedev looks like a clay court master. Today the Russian showed the tennis world he can play Grand Slam champion caliber tennis on red clay as he defeated Holger Rune 75 75. It is the first clay ATP title and sixth 1000 trophy for the Russian tennis machine. Today’s final win avenged a straight set loss to Rune in Monte Carlo QF 63 64,
The 27 year old former world no. 1 had never won a match in three previous appearance in Rome but we all know by now the clever, crafty and perhaps deceptive Russian has a tendency to summon his best tennis when it’s not expected.
He complained vigorously about the slow courts of Indian Wells and then sneaked his way to the final.
Medvedev also created the illusion that his game was not suited for clay. Before Rome, Medvdev’s career clay court match record was 22-25.
Well, that has all changed now after Rome. Medvedev has figured out the red clay puzzle and is now a favorite to win Roland Garros.
“I always want to believe in myself and I always want to win the biggest tournaments in the world,” said Medvedev, who only lost one set in Rome. “But at the same time, I didn’t think I could win a Masters 1000 on clay in my career because usually I hated it, I hated playing on it. I didn’t feel good on it and nothing was working. Before this tournament already in Madrid and Monte-Carlo I wasn’t feeling too bad. I thought, ‘OK, let’s continue.’ Then when I came here I felt so good in practice and I told my coach, ‘I don’t know what is happening but I am feeling amazing, so let’s see how it goes.’ But then you have to play the toughest opponents in the world to try to make it. I am really happy I managed to do it and to prove to myself and everyone else that I am capable of doing it.”
Medvedev has won five titles and 39 matches this year. He has won 20 titles overall. The world no. 3 will rise to no. 2 in the Pepperstone Live Rankings tomorrow.
In 2022 Medvedev won two titles and 45 matches overall.
ATP · Daniil Medvedev · Lacoste · Rome · Russia · Technifibre
