Medvedev defeats Tsitsipas 7-5, 7-5 advance to the first final in Rome
For Daniil Medvedev, this was the final test of the penultimate round; eliminated two-time Monte Carlo champion and French Open finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas. Medvedev, a self-proclaimed hard-court specialist who hated clay, hasn’t won a game in three tries at Foro Italico. Old World #1 with four titles this season was a win away from contention in the finals at the last Masters 1000 tournament on clay just eight days from the start of Roland Garros.
While many call the twenty-seven-year-old a magician with more than a few tricks up his sleeve, his performance in Rome left many perplexed, including himself. Prior to this event, his best speedway performance so far was the semi-final in Monte Carlo in 2007 2019 where he sent Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic in three.
Tsitsipas reached a career high #3 and is currently #5. Still on the hunt for his first title of the season, the 24-year-old from Greece is at home on clay, winning the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters twice (2021, 2022). In addition to two additional titles on earth, he was a finalist in Paris in 2010 2021, losing in five to Djokovic. He was hoping for another crack in the crown in Rome after losing to the Serbian in the straights last season.
(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Although Medvedev was leading head to head 7-4, Tsitsipas has won three of the last four. This was their third meeting on earth, splitting the previous two.
Tsitsipas served first and after three unforced faults, including a double fault and a powerful forehand return, broke the serve. Medvedev returned the favor with a double fault, but held on thirty fix the break.
Tsitsipas hit three winners – a backhand volley, a cross-court forehand and a forehand drop to the left side and kept the love to get to the board. Medvedev opened fourth with a brilliant inside backhand and two additional winners, held thirty Down 3-1. Tsitsipas opened the fifth inning with a strong winning crosscourt volley and an ace tee that was loved by 2-3.
World #3 he hit a stunning lob and held it easily 15 Down 4-2 while Tsitsipas returned the favor 15 Down 3-4 with three winners including another ace. Medvedev, serving with the new balls, made two more backhand errors and dropped a pass after Tsitsipas’s two consecutive winning forehands.
When it started raining harder, the players were forced to leave the court and after 2 ¾ hour they resumed the game. Tsitsipas missed 4/ /8 the first serves and was 0-30, then a deuce but held 5-4 with his third ace. After another extended delay due to rain, Medvedev opened the match with a double fault, but held thirty To the level.
led by Tsitsipas 40-0 but after four unforced faults, including a double service fault. Medvedev opened with a killer backhand down the line and a fantastic forehand drop set, hit a triple set point and converted when his opponent scored.
Tsitsipas served first in the second inning and opened with a double fault, and although he hit a fourth ace, he faced a break point and dropped the pass when Medvedev hit a backhand return on the lane.
The Russian maintained his aggressive game with a winner on each side and a tee serving monster kept 15 fix the break. Tsitsipas opened the third round with two consecutive forehand winners and another unmissable 1-2 while Medvedev opened with a wicked backhand drop set and held in love 3-1.
Greek serve with new balls, missed 3/ /6 served first and gave two unforced errors that he still held thirty extracting a backhand fault with three consecutive powerful forehands. Although the world #3 he continued to crush the ball from both wings, conferred three unforced errors, and threw a serve.
Tsitsipas opened seventh with a well-placed serve and overhead shot and consolidated the gap 4-3 when his opponent’s backhand flew far. Medvedev, playing at an ever-increasing pace, regrouped admirably and held on 15 To the level.
led by Tsitsipas 40-15 but he faced two and held 5-4 with another great shot from above. Medvedev, serving to stay in the set, missed three consecutive first serves, but with a second ace and a colossal in the middle, kept 15 To the level.
Tsitsipas opened eleventh with another overhead strike, but to no avail; he faced a double break point and dropped a serve when Medvedev ripped his forehand down the line from the net rope.
The Russian opened with a forehand cross-court volley, and with an excellent forehand volley and a well-placed drop shot, he defeated his opponent and advanced to the final in Rome for the first time in his illustrious career.
Medvedev weathered the storm and had a worthy opponent. He finished with two aces, two double faults and won 83% of the first i 46% of second serve points. He was quite successful in his comeback, winning 29% of the first i 52% turning points of the second serve. He converted 4/ /4 break points, hit nineteen winners and scored seven points more than his opponent.
And Foro Italico, the first champion will be crowned. Medvedev will face Holger Rune for the second time this season. The 20-year-old Danish phenomenon quickly climbed the charts and is now at the top of her career #7.
After losing in three tight sets to Andrei Rublev in the Monte Carlo final, he successfully defended his title in Munich. Although Medvedev lost their first meeting on the straights in Monte Carlo quarters, he should take confidence from his steady and stellar progress on clay.
