Google News Daniil Medvedev: 'I defeated Rafael Nadal, but my best 2020 win came against..'
by JOVICA ILIC | VIEW 17013
Daniil Medvedev had to wait for the season's closing stages to find his form in 2020, scoring ten straight wins and turning it into a memorable one! The Russian won the Masters 1000 title in Paris and gathered momentum ahead of London's Atp Finals.
Seeking his most significant title in a career, Daniil prevailed over Rafael Nadal in the semis and ousted Dominic Thiem 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 in two hours and 42 minutes to lift the trophy. Medvedev became the fourth Open era player with victories over three top-ranked players at the same event, joining Boris Becker, Novak Djokovic and David Nalbandian on the exclusive list.
Daniil picked the triumph over Dominic as his finest in the previous year, securing the most notable crown of his career and 1500 points. The clash saw only two breaks of serve, with Medvedev winning 115 and Thiem 112 points, an excellent illustration of how tight the encounter was.
Medvedev held at 30 in the first game with an ace, reached five deuces and created two break chances in the next one. Thiem saved both break points with winners from his serve and a forehand and brought the game home with another unreturned serve after ten minutes.
The crucial moment occurred in game five when Daniil lost five straight points on serve and suffered a break after a costly double fault to push the opponent 3-2 in front. Medvedev held at love to close the ninth game before Thiem wrapped up the set with a lucky net cord winner at 5-4 after 49 minutes.
Daniil had to work hard behind the initial shot in the second set's fifth game, fending off a break chance with a service winner and holding after four deuces with another quick point. Continuing where he left in the previous service game, Thiem fired three service winners in game six for a hold at love, sending the pressure to the other side.
The Austrian wasted a massive chance to grab a break at the net at 3-3, creating another following a loose forehand from the Russian.
Daniil Medvedev defeated Dominic Thiem at the ATP Finals.
Daniil erased it with an ace down the T line and survived three deuces to pass another challenge and remain on the positive side.
Medvedev created his first break chance since the opening game at 4-3 with a forehand winner, denied by a powerful forehand attack from Thiem, who clinched three straight points for a strong hold. Both players served well to reach a tie break, a must-winning one for the Russian.
Medvedev opened a 4-2 gap after an aggressive return and secured the set with an ace down the T line at 6-2 to force a decider and gain a boost. Thiem fended off three break chances in the final set's third game to remain in touch.
Staying composed, Daniil held at love in game four and earned two break opportunities in the next one, wasting them both to keep Dominic on the positive side. Daniil finally converted the ninth break chance after landing a volley winner that sent him 3-2 up.
The Austrian held at love in game seven to reduce the deficit before the Russian placed a volley winner to repeat that and move closer to the finish line. Serving for the title at 5-4, Medvedev sealed the deal with a service winner, finishing the season in the top-4 for the first time.
"If I have to pick my best 2020 victory, it would be the ATP Finals title match against Dominic Thiem. I played for one of the most important titles of my career, and the result was spectacular," Daniil Medvedev said.