Italian Open: Ahead of the French Open, Daniil Medvedev won the men’s Italian Open after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark 7-5, 7-5. This was his first career victory on clay.
With his fifth championship of the year, Medvedev is now one of the leading candidates for Roland Garros, which starts on May 28.
With 18 of his previous 19 championships won on hard courts, the 27-year-old was previously recognised almost solely for his brilliance on those surfaces. In Mallorca, the other one was on grass.
Having lost all three of his matches at the Italian Open, Medvedev admitted, “Honestly, I didn’t believe much I could win a Masters 1000 on clay in my career because usually, I hate it. I detested using it; I didn’t feel good using it, and nothing seemed to be working.”
“But I was kind of feeling okay before this competition in Madrid and Monte Carlo. I didn’t throw any major fits.
“I arrived here and felt fantastic throughout practice. I said, “I have no idea what’s happening, but I feel fantastic.” Let’s see its progress.
I’m incredibly thrilled that I was able to pull it off and show everyone that I am capable of achieving it. But then you have to play the strongest opponents in the world to attempt to make it.
Medvedev won the opening set in the first Rome final since 2004 that didn’t include 22-time Grand Slam champions Rafa Nadal or Novak Djokovic after the match’s start was delayed by over two hours due to rain.
The world No. 3 broke in the 12th game, finishing the opening set with a strong drive after Rune’s poor drop shot.
In the opening game of the second set, Rune, the Foro Italico’s youngest finalist since Spaniard Nadal did it 17 years prior, broke to love. After Medvedev responded to tie the match, Rune pounced once again to take a 4-3 lead.
However, the competitive world No. 7 looked to tyre late in a strenuous stretch, giving the edge back to Medvedev. Medvedev produced a tight hold courtesy to two enormous serves before clinching the match in style.
Who would’ve guessed I’d be standing here? During the award ceremony, Medvedev remarked, “I honestly didn’t, pointing to his box. I honestly didn’t think so – and I don’t know about you guys, but it happened.”
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