Andrey Rublev: 'Daniil Medvedev scored impressive victory over Novak Djokovic'

Russia was the only country with two players at the ATP Finals, with Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev carrying their flag after a banner season. Rublev made his ATP Finals debut and finished it with a single victory. On the other hand, Medvedev went all the way to continue where he left in Paris, scoring all five triumphs to lift his career's most notable title. En route to the trophy, Daniil toppled the world's three leading players, including a dominant 6-3, 6-3 victory over Novak Djokovic that secured the semi-final berth for him. Speaking about his compatriot, Andrey congratulated Daniil on a wonderful tournament, saying he couldn't watch the semi-final and final encounters. Still, he watched the match against Djokovic and was mighty impressed by Daniil's level, saying he deserves the ATP Finals crown. Playing against each other for the sixth time, Medvedev toppled world no. 1 Djokovic 6-3, 6-3 in an hour and 21 minutes.

Daniil lost 15 points behind the initial shot, fending off the only break point and securing three return games to move over the top in style. Medvedev fired 20 winners and 12 unforced errors, leaving Novak on a 19-28 ratio and overpowering the five-time champion in the shortest and more extended exchanges to cross the finish line. The opening set lasted for 47 minutes and saw 72 points, with the Russian winning 40 of those for 6-3. Djokovic survived two break chances in the third game, closing it when Medvedev landed a forehand wide and taking six points on the return a few minutes later. The Russian survived four deuces in that fourth game, keeping Novak away from break chances and bringing the game home with a forehand winner at the net after 11 minutes for 2-2. A service winner sent Djokovic 3-2 in front, looking good in his games in those moments before squandering four game points in a crucial game seven.

Andrey Rublev praised Daniil Medvedev's ATP Finals performance.

Producing reliable strokes from both wings and every part of the court, Daniil remained in the game and seized the third break chance after forcing an error from Novak to open a 4-3 gap and gain a massive boost. Medvedev held at 15 in game eight following a loose forehand from Djokovic, taking four straight points on the return in the next one for his second break and 6-3. In set number two, the Russian held everything under control in his games, breaking the Serb once to sail over the top. Djokovic sprayed a forehand mistake to lose serve in game two, falling further behind and not looking like a player who wanted to chase the triumph from a set down. The Serb placed another weak drop shot in game three to waste his only break chance, allowing the Russian to close it with an ace down the T line and increase his streak to seven straight games! Novak held at 30 in game four to end his downfall and closed the sixth to remain within one break deficit, desperately needing a good return game to get back on the scoreboard. Instead of that, Daniil clinched the seventh game at love in just over a minute, sealing the deal with a forehand winner at 5-3 for an impressive victory.

"I have congratulated Daniil Medvedev on his victory; I texted him a day after the final. Unfortunately, I couldn't watch him play in the semis and final, but I watched the one against Novak Djokovic. The match against Djokovic boosted my respect for Daniil and the level of my admiration for him, as he is a real hard-worker and fighter. He has completely deserved to be where he is at the moment," Andrey Rublev said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/369iw2q