Davis Cup: Medvedev brings Russia to the final with a win against Struff
Daniil Medvedev won the Davis Cup semi-finals in Madrid against Jan-Lennard Struff 6: 4 and 6: 4. Russia is in the final, which will play against Croatia on Sunday.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Dec 04, 2021, 03:35 pm
Jan-Lennard Struff left no stone unturned against Daniil Medvedev on Saturday in the Caja Magica, especially in the offensive. As in the quarter-finals against Cameron Norrie, Struff used almost every chance to build himself up on the net in front of his opponent, especially after the first serves. The Russian had already made it clear in advance that he could not surprise Medvedev under pressure: he saw the match against Norrie in its entirety and knew what to expect, said the number two in the world before the match.
In contrast to Norrie, Medvedev knew how to deal better with Struff's approach as a setback. In the first round it went up to 4: 4 with the serve, then the favorite managed the first and only break in the set.
In the second act, Medvedev managed to remove Struff's service in the fifth game. And then had to take a medical break - to get his nosebleeds under control. Struff still had a break chance in the very last game - but Medvedev fended off and used his first match point.
Rublev without problems against Koepfer
In the first match of the day Andrey Rublev made short work of Dominik Koepfer and won 6: 4 and 6: 0 after a playing time of almost 50 minutes. The hopes of the Germans that the decision would only be made in doubles suffered a first sensitive damper with Koepfer's defeat.
For Russia it is now on Sunday against Croatia for the third Davis Cup title ever. The first two were in 2002 and 2006. The Russian captain then and in 2021, by the way: Shamil Tarpischev. But the Russians have to face Marin Cilic and Co. like they did against Germany: They shouldn't let it come down to a decision in doubles. Because with Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic the best couple of the year is waiting,
madridmap