To defeat Daniil Medvedev, you have to do three things: play great, be ready for a physical battle, and stay in it mentally.
That’s according to Andrey Rublev, at least.
For the first time in his career, Rublev did all three of those things in the same match against Medvedev and it resulted in an upset win during semifinal action at the Western & Southern Open on Saturday afternoon. Previously 0-5 lifetime in the head-to-head series and 0-12 in total sets, Rublev got off the schneid against his fellow Russian with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory that required two hours and 22 minutes.
“To beat Daniil, only to show (a) great game is not enough,” the world No. 7 explained. “You need to be physically ready, because you will have to run a lot and you have to play each point (a) long rally. There will be almost no free points. You have to be also mentally strong. To beat Daniil, you have to do these three things really [well]. It’s nice (that) today I did it well, both game-wise, physical-wise, and mental-wise–which some matches maybe I can be mentally and physically not good.
“But you need to show all three things. I’m happy that I showed them today.”
After one set, it looked like more of the norm would continue between Medvedev and Rublev. The top seed dominated it 6-2 even though there were plenty of entertaining rallies and deuce games.
It was early in the second when the tide turned–both physically and mentally. A bizarre run-in with a camera near the back wall seemed to have a big impact on Medvedev, who dropped serve at 3-4 after eight deuces and five break points. Rublev served it out easily one game later and then seized complete control with a break at 3-3 in the third. The 23-year-old ended the match on a four-game winning streak to clinch the biggest victory of his career in style.
“Even when I was 2-6 down, the score should not have been like this because the points were so tight,” Rublev assessed. “The match was so intense, so many long rallies, super tough, super physical, super mental. A lot like a chess match.
“Medvedev is one of those players who won’t give you a chance to attack, but if I have enough power and choose the right moment I have to be the one to make him run. In the end, I was trying to find the perfect moment to start being more aggressive to open the angles.
“It gives me more confidence that I can compete against him. It’s like you pass university and they give you a diploma.”
Straight As in three different departments allowed Rublev to finally pass the Medvedev test.
nice one, Rub
Sort of a Miracle, it was. Now do it again, Andrey!
Medvedev played a poor match tactically, IMO. Was in cruise mode waiting for Rublev to lose and then tried to switch on when he realized he had a match on his hands. The coach did a poor job of preparing his player. He got complacent because of Medvedev’s H2h+H record.
an the fact that Med hadn’t dropped a set.
When a player has a big H2H advantage this happens eventually. A mental edge goes to Rublev for the moment but I wouldnt get carried away. His game is still very one dimensional- I hope he wins the final.
On another note Im not missing the big three much the tennis is so good.
That was very entertaining tennis all day. Not a twinge of missing anyone. Happy that Zverev beat Tsitsipas. It was Sascha’s turn to win.
d
Andrey should watch Ash Barty and Jil Teichmann. I think he can still learn. The loss to Tsitsipas at Monte Carlo was a setback. He really had it in mind that he could win at the 1000 level.
Zverev is my pick and I think I was right to pick him to win. (maybe)
Yeah hope they take it to the USO 😀
They will take this show to US Open and poor Nole might not be ready. He truly is carrying an injury that affects his serve when he pushes it to win consecutive matches – his arm/shoulder breaks down. Certainly, he could win it if his body is strong enough and recovery time was enough. I’m skeptical.
As usual much will depend on the draw. If Djoker can get through the early rounds w/o much stress he may be fine. He’s reached the age where he needs a great serve though and as you say he does have issues which he’s still not really used to dealing with.
“Poor Nole.” Is that the chap with 20 slams you’re referring to?
Not an adjective I’d use!
Thank you, Margot. Not going to ask you what adjective you’d use. 🧙♀️
Im sceptical too , I want to see all the players there,but as Nole the obvious favourite and reports of this injury,sadly there are people out there who will be delighted …
What injury is nole carrying ? He just said he has physical issues after olympics but that could be due to exhaustion..I don’t think they are serious ..he won ao with a supposedly ab tear
Sanju,
There isn’t an injury. Not something that will prevent him from playing. It is a real disservice to pretend that there is one. The top three are getting older and things can happen. Fed with the knee. Rafa with the foot. You cannot win three slams in a row with any significant injury. Aches and pains and some exhaustion both mental and physical can happen.
NNY,
There is an injury that is real and shows up after matches that require him to use his serve as a weapon. He keeps shoving the injury down and takes pain medicine for the problem. He was broken enough to admit it in Tokyo after he lost. He said he can’t go on the way he has and said out loud that he’s playing on pain meds. It’s his left arm. I believe it is a shoulder because when it is very bad he cannot raise his left arm to toss the ball properly. The one thing he has right is that with an injury like that pain meds and massage are not going to be enough. IMO, he’ll need a lot of luck to win this US Open. He’s likely against choosing anything invasive and the answer to fixing the problem, a problem he’s had for at least 3 years.
That’s all I save to say to anyone on the subject. I am done explaining to Rafa fans.
RC,
Since you chose to end your comment in that manner, then all I have to say is that I am done with this discussion period.
My player has an injury and it is preventing him from playing in the North American summer hard court season and most importantly, the USO. It also cost him RG this year, although he did not reveal the injury at that time. But it was why he withdrew from Wimbledon and the Olympics.
I really do not appreciate the manner in which you responded.
NNY,
Okay, Let’s not discuss injuries.
I was initially irritated that Sanju brought up the same question he likes to ask me. I am sure he is just stirring the pot a bit to see how it goes.
I have nothing but respect for you, dear NNY.
No real tennis fan would ever be delighted at any player’s injury.
RC,
Thank you. I feel the same towards you. It’s been a tough time for Rafa fans and also Fed fans.
I think we can just move on to the USO and hopefully some great tennis. I also feel for Thiem having to be out so long with the wrist injury. He is in the prime of his career. I am sorry that he can’t play but hope to see him back.
You will always have my respect and affection.
😀
RC,
Thank you. I feel the same towards you. It’s been a tough time for Rafa fans and also Fed fans.
I think we can just move on to the USO and hopefully some great tennis. I also feel for Thiem having to be out so long with the wrist injury. He is in the prime of his career. I am sorry that he can’t play but hope to see him back.
You will always have my respect and affection.
😀
NNY
💜 and affection. Sometimes I forget to let the emotions out. I love you and all else in the world is too horrible for words today. A tennis blog is an easy place 🤭
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpwdJMOPbIs&list=RDMM&index=22
oh shoot, It didn’t work.
RC,
It’s okay. It’s the thought that counts!
Please ignore that rude comment. You are one of the best Novak fans and best fans of tennis and also women’s tennis.
I look forward to some great talks about the tennis matches at the USO.
Yet another gushing self-involved Djoko fan.
His fan base is the worst.
This IS a tennis blog you know.
Its not a place for you to continually service your anxieties.
hahahaha Amy, is that you?
Look at who’s talking
Sceptical to you in Ireland, Big Al
Skeptical is what I am.
Interesting. I bet the original spelling was sceptical.
Sceptical was English. Im sceptical of your skeptical
Also through instead of thru.
Rough instead of?
Great win for Zverev and whoever picked him in the Bracket
Thanks, AM!
I don’t remember who else picked Zverev. I thought there were 2 of us.
Big Al, maybe.
I was so confident Zverev would win. I have never been this sure of a player winning a particular event, except Rafa during the clay season. And I hope that continues. I agree with his decision to take the rest of the season off. I wish Novak was doing the same.
Oh, almost forgot! I saw some horrendous pictures of the flooding in Malaysia. Hope you are safe. xxo
Hey hey hey RC!…missed u!😁…Ohh..u’re that confident in picking Sascha huh?I’m glad for u RC!…I want to pick him too,but my heart says Meddy!(and look what he did!🙉)..hehe..plus,i thought Sascha maybe will experienced some sort of ‘dip in form’ after winning gold(but,clearly he’s not!😁)…
So,my USO winner certainly between Sascha & Meddy RC…depends on their draw too!..U? Novak?
Ohh..bout that flood..it happened at the north of Malaysia RC & i live at the south of it,so i’m safe!😁…It happened bcoz the top of the hill were hit by very heavy rain,some say there’s also a logging activity in the area..so the heavy rain created a very dangerous ‘head of the water’ & trickled down the hill very fast,like u see in the videohttps://youtu.be/KwhsbRwY92A
Thanks for caring RC!
Thanks for caring? Of course, I care. If you don’t think I do, well, clearly I am not expressing myself well.
Ohh sorry RC!..the link is not working!🙈🙉
I picked him. We had a conversation about Med not winning beforehand. Got the outcome, not the reason, right!
Zverev looking good for the USOpen, maybe winning this time.
I don’t remember now. We must have been thinking about it at the same time.
About the US Open, I have to see the draw first. They are all on my mind.
Same with picking WTA. Have to see the draw first. But Ash is thereabouts.
Congrats RC & M for winning ATP & WTA brackets this week!…U guys r awesome!!😁👍
Thank you darling x Awesome? Never in doubt…;)
Hehehe….Yeah!…i never doubted u & RC’s awesomeness M!😁👍
On to USO!—–👉