“He told me he was dead,” Daniil Medvedev candidly opens up about Alexander Bublik’s drop shots that made him ‘play worse’

Daniil Medvedev is hoping to earn his first title of the season in Madrid.

“He told me he was dead,” Daniil Medvedev candidly opens up about Alexander Bublik’s drop shots that made him ‘play worse’

Daniil Medvedev (Via Imago)

Russian ace Daniil Medvedev has reached his first clay tournament quarterfinals of the season. The Russian claimed the feat against his notable rival Alexander Bublik in the Round of 16 of the Madrid Open.

Medvedev and Bublik’s last five meetings have always been known to be hectic, filled with heated drama. However, their sixth meeting was entertaining from the beginning to the end. Bublik, who started better than the Russian, began to show tiredness in the second set, which was his ultimate undoing in the match.

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The Kazakhstan pro earned 72% first serve but eventually gifted it away by making two double faults. On the other hand, Medvedev was struggling with his serves but kept pushing Bublik to the edge of the baseline, which was a trick for him to run out of fuel. 

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Medvedev prevailed in the first set 7-6 (3), but the second set was much easier for the 28-year-old. He was in control of the game and made sure he earned his victory in 7-6 (3), 6-4 in one hour and forty-four minutes.

After the victory, the World No. 4 revealed that the match was tough but they were tired, especially his opponent Bublik.

Tough match. A lot of drop shots. I got so tired in the end running for them. That’s when you lose your concentration and play worse. After the match he told me he was dead also. Good for me. At least I wasn’t the only one.
Daniil Medvedev said via post match interview

With this triumphant victory, Medvedev became the 10th player to reach the quarterfinals of the nine ATP Masters 1000 events. He will go on to face either Rafael Nadal or Czech star Jiri Lehecka in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open.

Daniil Medvedev is still in search of the first title of the season as he reaches Madrid QF

Daniil Medvedev is in search of his first title of the season. The Russian has come close on four occasions but fell short at the end. In Madrid, he has had a bright start compared to his third-round exit in the Monte Carlo Masters.

Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev (Via Imago)

He defeated American Sebastian Korda to reach the Round of 16 and beat Alexander Bublik to reach the last eight.

This season, he has reached the semifinals of each tournament except for the Monte Carlo. At the Sunshine Doubles in March, he was pretty close but lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the final of Indian Wells. He went on to lose to Jannik Sinner in the semifinals in Miami.

If he does win the Madrid Open eventually, it will be the seventh Masters 1000 title of his consistent career.

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