Erste Bank Open: Daniil Medvedev - "It feels perfect"
Daniil Medvedev was naturally overjoyed after his triumph at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna. Final opponent Denis Shapovalov also drew a positive conclusion.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Oct 30, 2022, 08:16 pm
by Nikolaus Fink from the Wiener Stadthalle
At 6:02 p.m. sharp, Daniil Medvedev entered the press conference room of the Wiener Stadthalle for the last time this year. Six days ago, the 26-year-old sat down in it for the first time and, given his mixed season, seemed quite thoughtful. Well, on Sunday, the 2021 US Open winner seemed completely relaxed. No wonder, since he had undoubtedly shown his best performances since the Australian Open at the Erste Bank Open.
"It feels perfect," said Medvedev after the hard-fought final win over Denis Shapovalov. "I don't know what to say. I immediately won my first tournament as a father". For the Russian, the triumph in the Austrian capital marked the second title of the season, and Medvedev now has 15 tournament wins in his career.
Medvedev: Djokovic's biggest competitor in Paris and Turin
Against Shapovalov, he showed perfect tennis, especially in the third set, according to Medvedev, who is now also one of the big favorites in Paris-Bercy and at the ATP Finals in Turin. The 26-year-old Novak Djokovic was the biggest competitor for the two remaining tournaments, and he also believes Rafael Nadal is capable of a lot.
He himself still feels physically fresh, said Medvedev. That wasn't always the case. "My first few seasons on the tour, I was dead when I got to Bercy." In the French capital, the former world number one meets Sebastian Korda or Alex de Minaur, in the quarter-finals there could be a duel with Basel champion Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Shapovalov looks ahead
His compatriot, Denis Shapovalov, was anything but depressed despite the defeat in the final. He is currently not interested in tournament wins, said the 23-year-old in the press conference after the match: "I want to continue playing like I am now. Then the titles will come."
"I'm happy with the way I'm playing. A year ago he probably would have beaten me 6-2, 6-2. I've made a lot of progress," Shapovalov continued. Unlike Medvedev, the Canadian will not enjoy a bye in Paris, in round one he will face Francisco Cerdundolo. "I still feel quite fresh mentally. That's super important for me."
Here the individual tableau in Vienna
viennamap