Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev will be squaring off for the 10th time in their careers and for a second straight year at the Rolex Paris Masters when they meet again on Saturday afternoon.
In 2020 they collided in the final, with Medvedev triumphing 3-6, 6-3, 7-5. This time around a spot in the final is what’s at stake.
Zverev did not have too much trouble making his way to the semis of the season’s last Masters 1000 tournament. The fourth-ranked German needed three sets to get past Grigor Dimitrov in the third round, but he also erased Dusan Lajovic and a red-hot Casper Ruud in straights.
Medvedev has been less impressive this week, which is perhaps understandable given a potential lack of motivation. The world No. 2 not only won this event last fall, but he also just triumphed at the U.S. Open. He won’t be able to catch Novak Djokovic for the year-end No. 1 ranking, too. Medvedev lost early in Indian Wells to Grigor Dimitrov but he has managed to avoid defeat in Paris while ousting Ilya Ivashka, Sebastian Korda (in three sets), and Hugo Gaston (faced triple-set point in the opening frame of play).
Zverev has the additional benefit of a favorable court surface. It is playing very slow, which does not suit Medvedev’s game. Sure the Russian managed to overcome the conditions last season, but he was completely on fire at that time and nothing was going to stop him. Although Medvedev is still playing well, he doesn’t look invincible at the moment.
This should set up well for Zverev to play his way into a 10th Masters 1000 final.
Pick: Zverev in 3
who ya got?
Djokovic said surpassing Sampras’s record at #1 is “incredible”.
Only difference is Sampras went for his shots and had arguably tougher competition during that streak.
The only competition was an erratic Agassi and the powder puff serve of Henman
And Sampras didn’t score many points on clay which makes it all the more incredible.
Single-handed backhand as well; he couldn’t just sit in the backhand corner and bunt the ball back until his opponent misses.
What he should’ve said is Sampras was a great champion and one of my idols growing up. I learned a lot from him and many other players when I developing my have throughout my career. It’s debatable whether my record is better because there’s are many factors and circumstances play a part in records and achievements. I’m just happy to be recognised in the same group as these other champions.
Instead, Djokovic would rather have a billion monkeys believe he’s the greatest thing in the history of the human race.
Actually, I retract these statements; he did give credit where it was due. Well done Novak.
At least Djoko and Med have a personality
Arguably greater opposition in the Sampras Era compared to now?? Agassi ,Krajeck and Henman?
Med dismantled Zverev, who, not surprisingly, got very tetchy! I was quite surptised as I thought Z had been playing a lot better these days.
Very impressive from M., his ROS against such a huge server was fantastic and he is like a brick wall in rallies.
Gonna be a long match against Djok…..