Labels could be limiting and Daniil Medvedev continues shattering stereotypes.
The self-described “hard-court specialist” continued his robust spring surge sweeping Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 6-2 in his first clay-court match of the yr in Monte-Carlo.
Recent off defeating Jannik Sinner within the Miami Open ultimate for his nineteenth profession title, a red-hot Medvedev scored his twenty fifth victory in his final 26 matches.
Launching his quest for his fifth title of the season, Medvedev raised his file to an ATP-best 30-3 scoring his seventeenth consecutive victory over an Italian.
Nonetheless, the floor change leaves Medvedev, who has gained 18 of his 19 titles on his beloved onerous courts, feeling a bit bit unsettled.
“On clay it’s way more troublesome for me to really feel the sport,” Medvedev instructed the media in Monte-Carlo. “After the match, it’s troublesome for me to say if I performed properly or not, however I used to be instructed I performed properly, and the rating was okay with me.
“I felt in management through the match. I’m very joyful. This makes me assured for the subsequent match. It’s going to be a troublesome one. It’s going to be a giant check in opposition to [Alexander] Zverev, so I’m joyful at this time.”
Although Medvedev, who suffered 4 straight French Open first-round losses earlier than his 2021 quarterfinal run, has downplayed his expertise on clay up to now he does personal a mud win over world No. 1 Novak Djokovic on the 2019 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.
Regardless of some success, Medvedev insists he doesn’t just like the soiled work.
“Anyway, I don’t like clay, and even when I win matches, I favor onerous courts,” Medvedev mentioned. “However I’ll do the whole lot to win all of the matches.”
The third-seeded Medvedev improved his 2023 Masters 1000 file to 11-1 organising what could possibly be a fierce Monte-Carlo showdown vs. Olympic gold-medal champion Alexander Zverev.
Earlier, Zverev zapped 11 aces and saved two of three break factors in a 6-4, 6-4 overcome Spaniard RobertoBautista Agut.
The Thirteenth-seeded Zverev is extra comfy on clay than Medvedev and it reveals in his outcomes. Zverev has gained six of his 19 profession titles on clay, together with three Masters 1000 crowns on filth: 2017 Rome and 2018 and 2021 Madrid.
Total, Medvedev holds a slim 7-6 edge over Zverev of their head-to-head collection, together with a wild 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 7-5 Indian Wells win final month. This would be the pair’s first assembly on clay.
“There are different gamers. Tsitsipas gained twice right here, however certainly we had many large matches, Sascha and I,” Medvedev mentioned. “Generally when certainly one of us wins, he goes to the ultimate or wins the event.
“So we had large battles and I do know he likes clay, so I’ll should be superb tomorrow to attempt to beat him.”
The winner of Medvedev vs. Zverev will advance the quarterfinals.
