TURIN/WASHINGTON, November 14, 2023 (by Michael Dickens)
For the second year in a row, Russians Daniel Medvedev and Andrey Rublev met in the opening round of group play at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, Italy. Unlike 12 months ago, when Rublev prevailed 6-7 (7), 6-3, 7-6 (7), this time it was all Medvedev.
Truly a hard-court specialist, the World No. 3 Medvedev’s season just got better following an easy 6-4, 6-2 victory over No. 5 Rublev at Pala Alpitour Monday evening. It was Medvedev’s 48th hard-court win – most on the ATP Tour this season – and it was also his tour-leading 65th victory of 2023.
Daniil making power moves 💰@DaniilMedwed gets his first win on the board in the Red Group in emphatic fashion!#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/uqfC7O90k2
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 13, 2023
Although Medvedev fired 10 aces, struck 24 winners and won 83 percent of his first-serve points, it was his defensive skills that proved the difference against Rublev, who came into their tussle with a personal-best 56 victories.
Medvedev saved all seven break points he faced, all which came during his final two service games in the opening set. Additionally, the tall and lanky Muscovite won 61 percent of the points on Rublev’s second serve, broke his close friend and the godfather to his toddler daughter three times in 10 opportunities, and played a convincing role in his opponent’s 28 unforced errors. Medvedev outpointed Rublev 75-57 by the end of their 91-minute match.
“I felt good and I managed to put it on the court,” Medvedev said in his on-court interview. “First set was really tough. I managed to just get a little bit the upper hand on the most clutch moments, and this helped me in the second, so I’m really happy.”
On 🔝 of his game! @DaniilMedwed defeats close friend Rublev 6-4 6-2 in his opening match #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/t1iPJoK1FQ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 13, 2023
Meanwhile, Rublev lamented his latest loss to his good friend, during his post-match press conference. “The feeling was that as soon as we had a rally, I was playing well and I had great chances,” he said. “I was not able to use my serve really well to open the court. When he had important moments, I think almost all the break points he save with a good serve.
“Then I had some chances, drive volley that I miss. I had opportunity I remember 5-4, love-30, I had quite easy drive forehand, and I didn’t hit it clean, and the rally continue. He played really well. … Those things in the end makes huge difference.”
The triumph provided a nice relief for Medvedev, who lost third-set tie-breaks in each of his Nitto ATP Finals matches last season, including to Rublev. It was his third victory this season over Rublev – all on hard courts, at Dubai, the US Open and Turin – and it improved his career head-to-head win-loss record to 7-2.
Bringing the power and heat 😤@DaniilMedwed | #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/0AsAb5cBNq
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 13, 2023
“It’s always about a little bit of luck, a little bit of good shots,” Medvedev added, in a post-match interview with Tennis Channel. “I would love to say here: ‘Yeah, I knew I was going to serve so well on the important points.’ But there’s going to be matches where you make double faults and the match can turn around and maybe you lose it.
“I’m happy that today I managed to stay clutch in the important moments, broke the intensity to him non-stop. … It’s about small margins and I’m happy that today turned my way.”
With his opening victory in the Red Group, Medvedev (1-0) will play World No. 7 Alexander Zverev of Germany (1-0) on Wednesday, while Rublev (0-1) will oppose Carlos Alcaraz of Spain (0-1).
Around the Pala Alpitour
Defending doubles champions Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury are making their fifth straight Nitto ATP Finals appearance – and their experience has benefited them well. In their Red Group doubles debut in this year’s tournament Monday evening, the sixth-seeded American/British duo defeated No. 3 seeds Rohan Bopanna of India and Matthew Ebden of Australia, 6-3, 6-4, in an hour, in a rematch of this year’s US Open final won by Ram and Salisbury in three sets.
Done and dusted 🤌@joesalisbury92 and @RajeevRam secure their first #NittoATPFinals win after defeating Ebden and Bopana 6-3 6-4! pic.twitter.com/nIqMsLiwlU
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 13, 2023
The winners (who were 3-1 in finals this season with titles at the US Open,Lyon and Vienna) combined to hit three aces and win 83 percent of their first-serve points. They broke their opponents twice – once in each set – and it proved to be the difference. By the end, Ram and Salisbury outpointed Bopanna and Ebden 50-43.
Starting Strong 💪
Reigning #NittoATPFinals Champions Ram/Salisbury defeat Bopanna/Ebden 6-3 6-4 pic.twitter.com/7KeK080RZ2
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 13, 2023
On Wednesday, Ram and Salisbury (1-0) will face No. 2 seeds Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands and Neal Skupski of Great Britain (1-0), while Bopanna and Ebden (0-1) will play Australians Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler (0-1).
By the numbers
Daniil Medvedev, who is making his fifth consecutive Nitto ATP Finals appearance, leads the ATP Tour with 48 hard-court victories this season. He’s 48-10 on hard courts following his win against Andrey Rublev.
“Quotable …”
“Obviously, it’s a big win. I think here in Turin, you don’t have any small wins because you’re only playing the best players in the world. I think [Carlos] Alcaraz has established himself as one of the two best players in the world, that’s for sure. He won a Grand Slam last year, he won a Grand Slam this year. Yeah, it’s obviously a very good start to my tournament. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.”
– Alexander Zverev of Germany, during his post-match press conference Monday, describing what beating Carlos Alcaraz meant to him.
