ATP Masters Indian Wells: Daniil Medvedev comes out as a fan of Zverev's backhand
Daniil Medvedev meets Alexander Zverev in the round of 16 of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells (from 7 p.m. live on TV and stream on Sky and in our live ticker). Medvedev was particularly taken with a shot by his opponent.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Mar 14, 2023, 09:25 am
After his third-round success against Ilya Ivashka at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells, Daniil Medvedev was a guest on a podcast. In a good mood and as always willing to provide information, the Russian should briefly present his personal list of the best backhand artists on the ATP tour. Medvedev ruled out one-handers on the grounds that these would be more aesthetic than two-handers anyway. No matter who only plays the backhand with one hand.
As is well known, Medvedev himself also uses his left claw to help, and when it comes to backhands he definitely sees himself among the five best professionals currently playing. At the front, the Russian has the man who has to play against him in Indian Wells today (from 7 p.m. live on TV and stream on Sky and in our live ticker): Alexander Zverev.
Daniil Medvedev has a healthy rivalry and a very decent working relationship with the German number one. The two have already met twelve times at various locations on the ATP tour, the balance is balanced. However, the special circumstances in Indian Wells make a forecast almost impossible: Medvedev has 16 consecutive match wins in Stage 1 in Tennis Paradise. But he doesn't find the conditions to his liking at all.
Medvedev has more respect for Djokovic's forehand
You play 20 good balls - and nothing happens, Medvedev explained. And he didn't play much differently against Ivashka in the second set than in the third. But lost the second round and won the third 6:1. There should be someone who knows.
Alexander Zverev, in turn, was a good backhand volley from Emil Ruusuvuori away from an early departure to Miami. It speaks for Zverev that he has fought his way through again. He would probably prefer a faster surface too. But maybe it helps that the sun in the day session makes the balls fly faster.
skyindianwells2023
By the way, Daniil Medvedev also has a surprise guest at the top of his backhand list: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. the Spaniard impressed him at the recent meeting in Rotterdam. And when asked, Novak Djokovic also made it into Medvedev's backhand top five. However, the industry leader is so brutally strong with the forehand that the backhand is the lesser - albeit still huge - evil for the respective opponent.
Here the individual tableau in Indian Wells
iwmap