Otago Daily Times

Medvedev heads queue of young pretenders

TENNIS

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LONDON: Daniil Medvedev barged to the head of the queue of young pretenders as the Russian captured the biggest title of his career by beating Dominic Thiem 46, 76 (72), 64 in an absorbing climax to London’s last ATP Finals yesterday.

Thiem was on course to become the first Austrian to win the title, following on from his recent US Open triumph, but the relentless Medvedev turned the tide to strike a blow for the new generation striving to shake up the tennis hierarchy.

There was no big celebratio­n as he fired an unreturnab­le first serve on match point to end the two hours and 42 minutes scrap, bringing the curtain down on 12 years at the O2 Arena before Turin takes over as host of the tournament.

Medvedev became only the fourth player in ATP history to beat the world’s top three at the same tournament.

He joins David Nalbandian (Madrid 2007), Novak Djokovic (Montreal 2007) and Boris Becker (Stockholm 1994).

‘‘It’s amazing,’’ Medvedev, who earned $US1.56 million ($NZ2.24 million) as an unbeaten champion, told reporters.

‘‘I beat Novak [Djokovic — in the group], Rafa [Nadal] in the semis and Dominic, the best players in tennis right now. It shows what I’m capable of.’’

Medvedev’s imaginativ­e game, a blend of sledgehamm­er power, cunning angles and unreadable serving, proved beyond Djokovic in the group phase and then secondrank­ed Rafael Nadal in Sunday’s semifinal.

The 27yearold Thiem appeared to have mastered it but ultimately was overwhelme­d.

‘‘I think Dominic was a little tired in the third set and to make him tired in a threeset match is tough,’’ Medvedev said.

His triumph came a year after a chastening three defeats on his debut. The only other player to achieve such a drastic turnaround is Djokovic in 2008.

Medvedev’s peers Alexander Zverev (23) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (22) won the past two titles in London but neither has gone on to claim a grand slam.

Medvedev will enter 2021 as the man most likely to make that breakthrou­gh for the muchhyped next generation. — Reuters

 ?? PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES ?? Breakthrou­gh moment . . , Russian Daniil Medvedev poses with the trophy after winning the ATP Finals in London yesterday. Medvedev beat Austrian Dominic Thiem 46, 76 (72), 64 in the final.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Breakthrou­gh moment . . , Russian Daniil Medvedev poses with the trophy after winning the ATP Finals in London yesterday. Medvedev beat Austrian Dominic Thiem 46, 76 (72), 64 in the final.
 ??  ?? Dominic Thiem
Dominic Thiem

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