Medvedev wins first career title on ‘dirt’…No. 2 ranked – French Open favorite
Danil Medvedev (RUS) won his first career clay-court title, shedding his “hard-court specialist” moniker.
Medvedev defeated Holger Lune (DEN) 2-0 (7-5,7-5) in the singles final of the ATP Tour Masters 1000 Italian Open (Internazionali BNL d’Italia) in Rome, Italy, today (Nov. 21). Medvedev, who had failed to win a single match in his previous three appearances at the tournament, turned things around to claim the title in his fourth attempt. It was an epic run to the top, with wins over 2017 champion Alexander Zverev (GER) and 2022 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas (GREE).
The victory, along with his 2021 US Open title and world No. 1 ranking, is a milestone in his tennis career.
He had won 18 of his previous 19 titles on hard courts. The other one was on grass.
By winning the Rome Open, Medvedev, who has said on numerous occasions that he hates clay courts, has become one of the favorites to win the French Open, which begins on Monday.
This year, a new champion could be crowned after 14-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal (Spain) announced his withdrawal due to injury. Of course, Novak Djokovic (Serbia) is the heavy favorite, but he hasn’t been at his best lately, so there’s plenty of room for a ‘young blood’ revolt.
In the ATP singles rankings, which will be updated on April 22 following the Italian Open, Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) will move up to No. 1 and Medvedev to No. 2, while Djokovic will drop from No. 1 to No. 3.
As a result, Alcaraz, Medvedev and Djokovic will be seeded 1-2-3 at the French Open.안전놀이터
“To be honest, I didn’t believe that I could win a Masters 1000 on clay in my career because I usually hate clay courts. I really didn’t like playing on clay, I didn’t feel like I was doing anything,” said Medvedev, who won his sixth career Masters 1000 title.
“When I came here and practiced, I felt good, I don’t know what happened, but I felt really good,” he said, noting that he hadn’t felt bad or upset in Monte Carlo and Madrid before this tournament.
“Who would have thought that I would be standing here? I honestly didn’t,” he said, adding, “I don’t know about you, but I honestly didn’t think so, but it happened,” and he was delighted.