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World no. 3 Daniil Medvedev made a perfect start at the ATP Finals in Turin. The Russian took down his great friend and compatriot Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-2, earning his seventh victory in their nine encounters. Daniil sealed the deal in an hour and 31 minutes, defending all seven break points in the opening set's closing stages and stealing Andrey's serve three times to seal the deal and earn 200 ATP points.
Medvedev dominated with his first serve, taming his strokes nicely and taking advantage of Rublev's weak second serve. Andrey stayed in touch in the mid-range and most extended rallies. However, Daniil took charge in the shortest ones, earning free points with his initial shot and sealing the deal in style.
Rublev faced a break point in the encounter's first game, drawing a forced error from Medvedev and avoiding an early setback.
Daniil Medvedev defeated Andrey Rublev in straight sets in Turin.
Daniil closed the second game with a hold at love and earned three break chances in the next one.
Andrey stayed focused, denying them and holding for 2-1. They served well until 3-3, and Medvedev stepped in on the return in game seven. Rublev played a terrible forehand drive-volley at the net, losing serve and falling 4-3 behind.
Doing everything right so far, Medvedev lost the ground on serve in the eighth game, experiencing three break points. A better-ranked player denied them and held after Rublev's wild forehand. Andrey held in the ninth game and created four more break points in game ten, eager to prolong the action and his chances.
It was not to be for him, as Medvedev saved them and converted the fourth set point with a forced error, wrapping up the opener 6-4 in 54 minutes. After missing his chances, Andrey lost serve at the beginning of the second set, saving three break points but netting a routine backhand on the fourth to find himself closer to the exit door.
Daniil cemented the advantage with a couple of fine holds and delivered another break of serve in game five after a forehand winner following Andrey's fall. The older Russian served well in games six and eight, moving over the top and making a winning start in Turin. It's Medvedev's tenth ATP Finals win and the first after four straight losses.