Daniil Medvedev is a clay courtroom Masters 1000 champion for the primary time after defeating Holger Rune 7-5 7-5 in Sunday’s Italian Open closing.
In every week tormented by rain showers, it was solely becoming that the ultimate was delayed by over an hour, however when play commenced, it was the Russian who produced the cleaner tennis, breaking decisively on the enterprise finish of set one and twice recovering from a break down within the second set to land his first ever clay courtroom title and sixth Masters 1000 crown.
Italian Open 2023 Last Outcome
| Winner | Loser | Scoreline |
|---|---|---|
| Daniil Medvedev (3) | Holger Rune (7) | 7-5 7-5 |
Match Stats
| Holger Rune | Daniil Medvedev | |
|---|---|---|
| Aces | 2 | 5 |
| Double Faults | 1 | 4 |
| First Serve | 33/68 (49%) | 42/65 (65%) |
| 1st Serve Factors Gained | 17/33 (52%) | 32/42 (76%) |
| 2nd Serve Factors Gained | 22/35 (63%) | 10/23 (43%) |
| Break Factors Saved | 2/6 (33%) | 3/5 (60%) |
| Service Video games Performed | 12 | 12 |
| 1st Serve Return Factors Gained | 10/42 (24%) | 16/33 (48%) |
| 2nd Serve Return Factors Gained | 13/23 (57%) | 13/35 (37%) |
| Break Factors Transformed | 2/5 (40%) | 4/6 (67%) |
| Return Video games Performed | 12 | 12 |
| Internet Factors Gained | 17/32 (53%) | 15/22 (68%) |
| Winners | 20 | 21 |
| Unforced Errors | 9 | 9 |
| Service Factors Gained | 39/68 (57%) | 42/65 (65%) |
| Return Factors Gained | 23/65 (35%) | 29/68 (43%) |
| Complete Factors Gained | 62/133 (47%) | 71/133 (53%) |
Highlights
Trophy Presentation
Ideas on the Match
Medvedev had performed among the greatest clay courtroom tennis I’ve ever seen from him over the past ten days or so in Rome, and his sport appeared to click on with higher motion and that potential to defend from the corners and steal factors he has no enterprise profitable.
That continued within the closing as Medvedev soaked up Rune’s groundstrokes and outlasted him from the baseline all through. He refused to overlook, particularly within the second set, the place he twice recovered a break of serve.
It was a tricky match, I believe we have been each a bit nervous in the beginning, and I believe we have been each lacking our fundamentals. We have been lacking some straightforward photographs, so I’m joyful I managed to step it up on the finish of the primary set. However then, in the beginning of the second set, he stepped it up immediately, and I used to be like, ‘OK, that is the second I’ve to begin taking part in higher and go to his stage’. Then it was a prime match from this stage. Medvedev on his closing win over Rune.
Medvedev’s potential to get to the ball when being run back and forth however nonetheless put one thing on it’s Djokovic-esque, and even from defensive positions, the Russian can all the time provide you with one thing to flip the momentum of the purpose totally with only one swing of the racket.
Whereas most defensive-type baseliners should work time beyond regulation for ALL of their factors, Medvedev additionally has a extremely efficient serve, so he can all the time reel off some factors shortly to alleviate stress or save vitality for his return video games.
Alongside these attributes that serve him properly on all surfaces, Medvedev has additionally clearly put within the exhausting yards on clay this season.
Whereas he may not just like the floor and he might simply put his focus elsewhere or skip it totally like Kyrgios, I’ve seen numerous movies of him practising at Mouratogalou’s academy, and he and his coach have devoted themselves to understanding the nuances of the floor, adjusting his footwork, and fine-tuning his photographs to go well with the distinctive calls for of clay courtroom tennis.
His potential to adapt tactically and mentally can also be value mentioning. As an alternative of being discouraged by earlier disappointments on clay, he approached every event with a contemporary perspective, and he’s an analytical sort of one that thinks about his opponents’ weaknesses and learn how to neutralise the floor’s challenges slightly than simply making an attempt to blast the ball as exhausting as he can on each single shot.
I all the time wish to consider in myself, and I all the time wish to win the largest tournaments on the planet. However on the identical time, I didn’t assume I might win a Masters 1000 on clay in my profession as a result of I often hated it and taking part in on it. I didn’t be ok with it, and nothing was working. Earlier than this event in Madrid and Monte-Carlo, I wasn’t feeling too unhealthy. I believed, ‘OK, let’s proceed’. Then once I got here right here, I felt so good in follow, and I informed my coach, ‘I don’t know what is going on, however I’m feeling superb, so let’s see the way it goes’. However then it’s a must to play the hardest opponents on the planet to attempt to make it. I’m actually joyful I managed to do it and show to myself and everybody else that I can do it. Medvedev talks about discovering success on clay.
So regardless of overtly admitting his lack of affinity for clay courts, Medvedev has showcased a formidable show of willpower, adaptability, and talent, finally resulting in his well-deserved victory in Rome.
With it, he’s now quantity within the ATP Stay Race To Turin rankings and is as much as No. 2 within the ATP Rankings after incomes his thirty ninth win of the season, which incorporates titles in Rotterdam, Doha, Dubai, Miami and now Rome.
What did you guys consider the ultimate? Let me know within the feedback.