Daniil Medvedev on Sunday said that ending his long-standing clay court title jinx was almost equal to capturing the 2021 US Open.
The Russian added a first clay trophy to his 19-title collection with a 7-5, 7-5 win over Holger Rune in the Internazionali BNL d’Italia final in Rome.
It was his fifth title of the season and sixth career Masters trophy from six different venues.
Photo: Reuters
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“In a way, it’s the number one career honor,” the 27-year-old said. “I would never [have] thought I would be able to make this, but I have to be honest — a Grand Slam is always bigger.”
“This one is special because I didn’t think it was going happen, I still kind of don’t believe, not that I won it, but I played so well this week,” he added.
Medvedev, who had been 0-3 in his three previous trips to the Italian capital, had knocked out 2017 champion Alexander Zverev and last year’s runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas on his way to Sunday’s final.
“I didn’t think I could win a Masters 1000 on clay in my career, because usually I hated it, I hated playing on it. I didn’t feel good on it and nothing was working,” Medvedev said.
The world No. 3, who yesterday rose to second in the rankings, said that he was now warming to the slowest surface in the sport.
“I don’t love clay, but let’s call it a friendship,” said Medvedev after his 1 hour, 41-minute win over 20-year-old Rune. “My tennis love is hard court, but I like clay more now.”
Medvedev is to be seeded second at the French Open, which starts next weekend, behind Carlos Alcaraz with two-time Roland Garros winner Novak Djokovic in third.
“I guess it’s better to be number two — Carlos and I don’t play for sure before the final, and Novak, [there is] maybe a 50 percent chance he’s not in my draw,” Medvedev said. “At the same time I haven’t been further than the quarters in Roland Garros.”
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