Daniil Medvedev believes he will soon start “winning titles again” despite Madrid Open exit
Daniil Medvedev has been unable to win a tour-level title since lifting the 2023 Italian Open in Rome.
Follow Us
Daniil Medvedev (image via X)
Daniil Medvedev succumbed to a straight-set defeat against Casper Ruud to end his Madrid Open run in the quarter-finals. The Russian star’s performance was good but was not enough to earn the win. He now believes he can use that as a way to build his confidence and get back to winning titles.
Medvedev has not won a tour-level title since the Italian Open in 2023. The 29-year-old has struggled on the court, especially this season. He’s yet to reach a tour-level final this year and has begun to lose to top players in the ATP. The Russian only defeated Jannik Sinner once while losing to Carlos Alcaraz in their three meetings last year.
However, Medvedev played some great tennis at the Madrid Open. After earning a first-round bye, he gained a walkover following the withdrawal of Laslo Djere due to injury. He opened his account in Madrid by beating Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-2, 6-2. He then went on to defeat Brandon Nakashima 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the round of 16.
His run ended in the quarter-finals after losing to Ruud 3-6, 5-7 in Madrid. Medvedev is now confident that he can sustain his run after the tournament and fight for titles after over a year of trophy drought.
The overall balance of the week is positive. I need to beat many players before aiming for the top, but I know what it takes to win titles. It’s all about rebuilding confidence; what I am clear about is that if I can string together several weeks of playing at this level, I will win titles again.
Daniil Medvedev said via Madrid Open Press
Medvedev will hope to take his shot at the Italian Open title having won it in 2023. He has been average on clay this season winning just four of his six matches on the surface. The Madrid Open was his second clay tournament.
Daniil Medvedev succumbs to a defeat against Casper Ruud in Madrid
Daniil Medvedev fired 23 winners and advanced to the net on 23 occasions, but Ruud’s resolute performance was enough to seal the victory in an hour and 39 minutes. Medvedev had led 3-0 in their head-to-head ahead of the match, and it marked their first appearance since 2021, and first on the clay court.
Ruud was hungry for victory as he had not been in good form on clay. The Norwegian was unable to defend the Barcelona Open two weeks ago and subsequently dropped out of the Top 10 for the first time since February last year. But, with his run at the Madrid Open, he’s up to No.12 in the ATP live rankings.
If Ruud gets to the final in Madrid (which he eventually did), he’s set to surpass Medvedev and become the World No.10 in the ATP rankings, leaving the Russian to fall to No.11. It will be the second time in a month that Medvedev has dropped out of the ATP elites group.
Daniil Medvedev reveals what he does after playing a clay match
Daniil Medvedev often prefers playing on hard court than clay. The former US Open champion won only just eleven of his 16 clay matches last season. His best run on the surface was in 2014 when he claimed 22 wins in 27 clay matches. He was asked whether he does review his clay matches after every tournament and to that he stated that he prefers analyzing his hard court matches than clay.
On hard courts I watch less because I understand almost immediately after the match where and what I did wrong. After games on clay I don’t have that feeling.
Daniil Medvedev said
Medvedev has his sight set at the French Open. He revealed earlier in Madrid that he hopes to do better than his last year’s fourth-round run.
Also Read: Coco Gauff reveals key to her statement win over Iga Swiatek in Madrid Open semifinal
/techfirstnow/media/agency_attachments/kATjCXskQdJKkXN0OuqW.png)