Daniil Medvedev reveals “tricky” issues that Holger Rune has with his game ahead of their semifinal tie in Indian Wells

Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune have faced each other three times in their careers, with the former leading 2-1 in their head-to-head record.

Daniil Medvedev reveals “tricky” issues that Holger Rune has with his game ahead of their semifinal tie in Indian Wells

Daniil Medvedev, Holger Rune (Image via X)

Daniil Medvedev has found his form in Indian Wells. The 29-year-old had struggled since the beginning of the season to get past the semifinals of the last two tournaments he featured. At the California desert, he’s into the semifinals and is set to face Holger Rune for a place in the final of the ATP 1000 tournament.

Medvedev opened his account in Indian Wells beating Bu Yunchaokete in straight sets. In the third round, Alex Michelsen was forced to retire due to food poisoning after Medvedev led 2-0 in the first set. The Russian played one of his best tennis this season to defeat No.10 seed Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-0.

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On Thursday (March 13), Medvedev kept his hopes alive of reaching a third consecutive Indian Wells final after outlasting Arthur Fils in three sets. The quarterfinal tie against the Frenchman seemed to be slipping away from his reach after he lost the second set and was forced into a third set tiebreak.

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However, Medvedev found a way to crawl back into the match to win 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(7) and book a place in the semifinals. The World No.6 will face Rune in Indian Wells for the first time since their meeting at the same ATP 1000 tournament last year. The Russian defeated the Danish star on that occasion and will be hoping to do the same.

However, it is going to be at some cost this time around as Rune has found form in the desert. The World No.13 defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Round of 16 before coming from behind to beat Tallon Griekspoor in the quarterfinals. Nevertheless, Medvedev has a detailed evaluation of the youngster’s game style.

Talent is really, like, strong, great, I don’t know how you say it, because he has, I would say, probably every shot that you can have in tennis. It was a good slice, a good drop shot, and a good volley. He can spin, he can play flat, he can serve well, he can kick well. I feel like he has every shot. I wonder if maybe sometimes it disturbs him because when you have that many arms, it might be tricky. But as I say, I think we all see him, probably he knows that sometimes he’s not consistent in the beginning of tournaments, but when he’s deep there, he’s a tough player to beat.

Daniil Medvedev said via Indian Wells Press

Medvedev has a 2-1 lead in his head-to-head record against Rune. The latter last won their meeting at the 2023 Monte Carlo Masters. The Russian will be looking to extend his win record against the Dane.

Daniil Medvedev reveals the reason for his ‘wild’ celebration after beating Arthur Fils in Indian Wells

Daniil Medvedev was on the brink of losing to Arthur Fils in their semifinal match in Indian Wells. The Russian was leading 8-7 in the third set tiebreak and it was the Freshman to serve. Fils served and, in the middle of the point, missed a volley just beside the net. Medvedev, on the other side of the court, made a clear gesture of celebration, as he repeatedly jumped in the air.

Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev (via X)

The World No.6 celebration was a surprise to fans, who know Medvedev to always be calm after each victory. During his press conference, the Russian was asked about it and he revealed that it was because he had lost three tight matches this year.

I haven’t seen it yet. Firstly, I had lost three very tight matches this year; in two of them, against Tien and Griekspoor, I was very close to winning. As you lose more matches like these, you also lose more confidence in crucial moments. I remember a time, in 2018, when I had something like 20 consecutive tiebreak wins. It surprised me, I didn’t follow those statistics, but it’s all a matter of confidence: sometimes you have it, sometimes you don’t.

Daniil Medvedev said

Medvedev is still seeking his first title in over a year. The last time he won a tour-level title was at the Italian Open in 2023. He will hope to win the Indian Wells which would do his confidence a world of good.