The Nitto ATP Finals kick off in Turin, Italy on Sunday with U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev battling Hubert Hurkacz in the first match of round-robin play. Medvedev is the top seed in Group B.
Daniil Medvedev had been knocking on the door of a Major title for a couple of years. The Russian rocketed up the rankings in 2019, powered by an incredible run during the summer hard court swing that culminated in a thrilling five-set match against Rafael Nadal in the final of the U.S. Open. Nadal won that match, but Medvedev pushed him hard and secured his place at the top of the men’s game.
Fast forward a year and a half and Medvedev once again found himself in the final of a slam, this time against Novak Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open. Djokovic won that one handily, but the Russian returned the favor in New York with a surprise straight-set win in the final.
Medvedev comes into Turin off a run to the final at the Paris Masters, and he is the defending Nitto ATP Finals champion. Opponent Hubert Hurkacz has his work cut out for him on Sunday. Hurkacz had a wild 2021 season, with results that vacillated from brilliant to baffling. He lost in the first round of the Australian Open to Mikael Ymer then won the Miami Masters. He won exactly one match on clay, then stormed to the semis at Wimbledon.
While Medvedev Is the clear favorite in this match, Hurkacz still has reason to be confident. The Polish world No. 9 knocked Medvedev out of Wimbledon this year in a tough five-setter. He also proved his mettle indoors at the Paris Masters, where he was knocked out in the semifinals by Djokovic.
The world No. 2 should get the win in this one, but Hurkacz may give him a hard time.
Cheryl pick: Medvedev in 3
Ricky pick: Medvedev in 2
slow start for Meddy