Erste Bank Open: Daniil Medvedev scatters possible semi-final opponent Dominic Thiem Rosen
As with the US Open, the ATP 500 event in Vienna could lead to the semifinals between Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev . The latter scattered roses for the Austrian at his first press conference in Vienna.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Oct 26, 2020, 04:28 pm
By Michael Rothschädl from the Wiener Stadthalle
The last few weeks have not gone according to plan for Daniil Medvedev. The Russian, who narrowly failed at the eventual winner Dominic Thiem at the US Open, has only won one match since then and failed in Hamburg and at the French Open in the first round. You can see that in the Russian, who in his opening press conference at the Erste Bank Open never tired of emphasizing that he now wants to win as many matches as possible.
According to Medvedev, he had already planned to come to Vienna last year. To a city he had visited twice before. "Vienna is a beautiful city, after a challenge in Bratislava I came to Vienna with friends for a day. Great food, great restaurants," enthused the sixth in the world rankings. The bubble life is now of course completely different, of course he couldn't discover much of the city during his stay in the Austrian capital this year.
The decision to start at the ATP 500 event was accordingly an easy one for Medvedev. "Of course I can also gain a few points. After the long break, we all want to play as many matches as possible," said the Russian, who is already looking forward to serving in the Wiener Stadthalle. Due to the long break due to COVID-19 and the hard work that the players put into their physique during this time, it is now a very special constellation at the end of the season. "Usually the last tournaments are always very tought" - but now the tanks are much fuller as the ATP traveling circus trots.
Possible semi-final against Thiem
Medvedev will kick off in Vienna on Tuesday when he will meet the lively Australian Alex de Minaur. This was still in action on Sunday a few kilometers north of Vienna, missed his fourth career title at the ATP 250 event in Antwerp in the final against Ugo Humbert. The tournament in Vienna will not only be a big challenge because of the tough start, as Medvedev emphasizes: "It is extremely well-manned, it will be very difficult to get far in this tournament." Should the Russian succeed in this, however, there could be a re-match of the US Open semi-final in the semifinals, with a chance for revenge on local hero Dominic Thiem.
The 24-year-old only had words of praise for him: "He's one of the best players in recent years, actually since he was among the top ten in the world rankings. And that on every surface, he has that with his Grand Slam Triumph proved on a surface other than sand, "said the Russian. To be in the semi-finals alone would be a great success given the top-class field, although "it would be great to play against Dominic because it would definitely be a good match."