Medvedev leads Russia to win
MELBOURNE: World No 4 Daniil Medvedev is primed for an Australian Open assault after spearheading Russia to victory in the ATP Cup final against Italy yesterday.
Medvedev crushed world No 10 Matteo Berrettini 64, 62 on Rod Laver Arena to give his country an unassailable 20 lead in the team event.
The 24yearold’s success followed up countryman Andrey Rublev’s 61, 62 demolition of Italian Fabio Fognini earlier yesterday, meaning the doubles rubber was not required.
The highly ranked Russians were clinical during the entire ATP Cup, with neither player dropping a match.
Russia becomes the second nation to claim the ATP Cup after Serbia, led by Novak Djokovic, won the inaugural tournament last year.
Medvedev has reached the Australian Open fourth round in each of the past two years and is chasing a maiden grand slam title. But the righthander’s recent form has been superb and only Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Austrian Dominic Thiem are seeded higher.
After capturing the 2020 seasonending championship in London, Medvedev has continued his redhot run to extend his winning streak to 14 matches.
‘‘Ten matches against top10 opponents, and I didn’t lose a match,’’ Medvedev said.
‘‘It’s a big boost in confidence. Even when you lose, you know that you’re capable of playing this level, and it helps you for the next time.
‘‘Hopefully, I can show a great level like I did these last matches, then I will have my chance to win matches.’’
Medvedev, whose best result at a major is runnerup to Rafael Nadal in the 2019 US Open, will meet unseeded Canadian Vasek Pospisil in the first round at Melbourne Park. — AAP