Taste of victory
Medvedev becomes first Russian to win ATP Finals title since 2009
Shows what I’m capable of when I’m playing good, when I’m feeling good mentally, physically. So I know what I’m capable of. Just need to produce it more and more.”
LONDON — Daniil Medvedev did not travel an easy path to the biggest title of his career at the ATP Finals: He beat No 3 Dominic Thiem for the championship after earlier getting past No 1 Novak Djokovic and No 2 Rafael Nadal.
By switching tactics and coming back for a 4- 6, 7- 6 ( 2), 6- 4 victory over US Open champion Thiem in Sunday’s final, No 4 Medvedev became the first player to defeat each of the men ranked 1- 3 in the season- ending championship — and only the fourth to do so at any tour event since 1990.
“Means a lot,” said Medvedev. “Shows what I’m capable of when I’m playing good, when I’m feeling good mentally, physically. So I know what I’m capable of. Just need to produce it more and more.”
The 24- year- old Russian’s triumph over Thiem on an indoor hard court in an arena without spectators, who were barred because of the coronavirus pandemic, followed those against Djokovic in the round- robin portion of the tournament and Nadal in Saturday’s semifinals.
Medvedev went 5- 0 in all, quite a turnaround from a year ago, when he was 0- 3 at the ATP Finals. The tournament now ends its 12- edition stay in London and heads to Turin, Italy, next year.
“What a match,” said Medvedev. “One of my best victories, two hours and 42 minutes, three sets against an amazing player.
“Dominic, congratulations already for what you achieved in your career. Your name is already in the history of tennis books.
“It is amazing. You won a Grand Slam this year. You are playing unbelievable. I hope we are going to have many more matches to come on the big occasions like this.”
Medvedev closed 2020 by going 10- 0 in November, including seven wins against top- 10 players. He had zero victories over top- 10 opponents over the preceding 12 months.
He called this run “a great boost of confidence for all the Slams coming up and all the tournaments. Hopefully I can continue this way.”
Medvedev is the first Russian to win the ATP Finals since 2009, when Nikolay Davydenko triumphed at the first edition of the season finale held in London.
Thiem’s defense and power from the baseline put him on top early, and strong serving at key moments allowed him to save the first eight break points he faced.
“He was crushing the ball,” Medvedev said, “like ( there) was no tomorrow.”
But Medvedev, the runner- up to Nadal at the 2019 US Open, finally converted on his sixth break chance of the third set by sneaking forward behind a return, making a forehand volley winner and going up 3- 2.
“Of course, I am disappointed, but at the same time I am also proud of the performance of all the week,” said Thiem. “Daniil really deserved it. It was an amazing match.”
Thiem credited Medvedev with playing an “unreal game”. That was enough, because Medvedev never
Daniil Medvedev, after winning the ATP Finals title
faced a break point the rest of the way; he finished with 12 aces.
A key shift came in the second- set tiebreaker, thanks to a change in style from Medvedev.
Thiem went up 2- 0, before Medvedev used an element of surprise by rushing to the net more often than usual — behind serves and returns — and reeling off the next seven points. The change of tactics was “surprising” and “very gutsy”, said Thiem, who had won three of the pair’s previous four matches, including in straight sets in the semifinals in New York in September en route to his first Grand Slam trophy.
In Sunday’s second set, Thiem had break opportunities to take a 4- 3 edge, but he badly missed a short shot on one, prompting him to put his hands on his hips in exasperation. “Maybe,” Thiem said afterward, “the match would have had a different outcome if I convert that break point.”
He stumbled and tumbled to the court in the next game, but appeared to be OK. Still, Medvedev said he sensed Thiem was fading down the stretch.
“To make Dominic tired in a three- set match,” Medvedev said,
“is a great achievement.”
“My level of game here and especially the last two matches I won are just unbelievable,” he added. “I think it can give me a lot for my future career.”
Meanwhile, Wesley Koolhof and Nikola Mektic won the ATP Finals doubles championship for their first title as a pair. They beat Jurgen Melzer and Edouard RogerVasselin 6- 2, 3- 6, 10- 5 in Sunday’s final.