Daniil Medvedevs Cincinnati loss is blessing in disguise for US Open chances
US Open: Daniil Medvedev tells crowd he won because of them
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Daniil Medvedev’s semi-final exit in Cincinnati may boost his US Open chances, according to Annabel Croft. The former British No 1 believes his three-set loss to Andrey Rublev was a ‘blessing in disguise’ as winning back-to-back Masters titles would have made a run in New York more difficult. The world No 2 is the favourite to stop Novak Djokovic from winning a historical 21st Major and the Calendar Grand Slam.
Medvedev looked unstoppable throughout the North American hard court season, picking up the title in Toronto and failed to drop a set until the semi-finals of Cincinnati.
The Russian was cruising against compatriot Rublev and found himself 6-2 up when, early in the second set, he collided with a camera at the back of the court.
The world No 2 then told the umpire he could have broken his hand, asking for the camera to be removed and threatening to “sue” before kicking the camera when it was stood back upright.
He then went on to lose the match, with Rublev able to beat his friend and opponent for the first time in his career, 2-6 6-3 6-3.
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Although the defeat means Medvedev will no longer be able to enter the US Open unbeaten on the North American hard courts, Annabel Croft believes it is likely to help his chances of going deep at the final Major of the year.
Speaking to the Express, the two-time junior Grand Slam champion said: “I think he just ran out of steam, to be honest with you.
“I mean I think to have won back-to-back Masters and then to go into a US Open, that would be very tough to win all three so in a way it’s probably a blessing in disguise that he didn’t win that match, and get refreshed going into a US Open.”
The Prime Video commentator also praised his unique style of play, noting that he is especially good on the hard courts.
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“I love the way he plays and I love his quirky character. I find him absolutely fascinating,” she said.
“I think his tennis is mesmerising, just the way he’s so unorthodox, the way he hits the ball and the way he moves, and he’s so strong mentally. He is like a chess player they say, he sort of out-manoeuvres and he’s so tough psychologically to break down.”
Medvedev previously made his maiden Grand Slam final at the US Open two years ago, the last time crowds were able to watch from the stands.
He famously made a name for himself in New York after receiving boos from the crowd during his victory over Feliciano Lopez, which saw him receive a code violation and sneakily give the middle finger to the chair umpire.
The 12-time title winner then addressed the crowd in his on-court interview, saying: “I want all of you to know when you sleep tonight: I won because of you,” as he fanned himself and leaned into the ‘bad guy’ role.
It seemed to work, with Medvedev then going on to receive huge support in the final as he was able to come back from two sets down against Rafael Nadal, ultimately falling in five, with the crowd cheering him on.
Former world No 24 Annabel recalled his antics from 2019, saying: “It was amazing, it was just extraordinary and I think it was so fun to watch him being the villain, he was like a pantomime villain, you could almost see him playing his matches with a black cloak on.
“Everyone was booing him constantly, and then the way that he turned it around in that final against Nadal and then by the end of it, you know, the cheeky smile, he’s got a lot of charm, twinkle in his eye. The crowd, he won them over.”
The world No 2 will likely be relishing the chance to play in front of the fans in Flushing Meadows this year, who by now will be well aware of the Russian’s big personality.
The US Open is available to watch on Prime Video from Monday 30th August.
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