Daniil Medvedev - Los Cabos as a can opener?
Daniil Medvedev won his first title of the season in Los Cabos. Exactly at the right time, as the most important phase of the season is about to start for the Russian.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Aug 08, 2022, 03:42 pm
The really big dominance has failed to materialize. After Daniil Medvedev won his first Grand Slam title with an impressive three-set win over Novak Djokovic last year, the Russian was one, if not the best player in the world, at least on hard court. And so title aspirant in a majority of the tournaments in the first phase of the season.
It is surprising that the world number one had to wait so long to win the first title in 2022. Already at the Australian Open, with a 2-0 set lead against Rafael Nadal, the chance was served on a silver platter - the Spaniard hit back memorable. And inflicted one of the most bitter defeats in Medvedev's career so far. A defeat from which the Russian apparently had to recover first.
Medvedev picks up speed
In addition, there were recently problems that were outside Medvedev's sphere of influence: due to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, the 26-year-old was forbidden from starting in Wimbledon, previously the Russian had surprisingly failed at the French Open due to Marin Cilic. In summary: 2022 was anything but easy for Daniil Medvedev, although he was able to advance to first place in the world rankings for the first time.
But now the knot has burst: In Los Cabos, the world number one crowned a dominant week with a two-set win in the final - and the first title win of the current season. The Russian is picking up speed just in time for North American hard-court swing: where Medvedev has always shown his best tennis. And where the US Open title defense is due in a few weeks. Which, of course, greatly increases the importance of winning the title in Los Cabos.