RUSSIAN Daniil Medvedev has claimed his fourth ATP Masters 1000 trophy with a scintillating 6-4 6-3  victory over hard-hitting American Reilly Opelka, earning a 12th tour-level title in the process and 11th on the hard court surface, just two years after falling to Rafael Nadal here in the 2019 final. While the American worked hard to sway the result in his favour, Medvedev negated his typical serving capacity and took the match into his own hands to run out victorious in 85 minutes.

A tight start to the match was expected, with both players in great form and neither willing to back down as they both remained on serve early before Medvedev broke Opelka’s to lead 3-2. The Russian then used his backhand to create problems at the net, eventually taking out the first set. The second was not much easier, although once again it was Medvedev that owned the momentum, winning nine points in a row to break Opelka’s serve once more and eventually claim the victory.

”I could not have dreamt of [this] at one point,” Medvedev said in his on-court interview. “With Masters, with Novak [Djokovic] and Rafael [Nadal] playing, it seemed like an untouchable achievement. Now I have four wins in five finals, which is a good score. I am just happy. I want to achieve more. I am really happy I achieved this in Canada.

“Even today, he [Opelka] showed up, he played some really good points. He was fighting until the end, he saved break points in crucial moments. Playing your first [Masters 1000] final is not easy. I played my first in Canada and won only three games.

”Playing Canada and Cincinnati, the goal is to win as many matches as possible. I was able to do it two years ago and I will try and do it again.”

Overall, Medvedev fired off six aces for five double faults compared to Opelka’s eight and three, well and truly limiting the American’s ability to capitalise off his strong serve. Medvedev won 88 per cent of his first serve points off a 50 per cent clip, and won 62 per cent of Opelka’s second serve points to steal away the victory.

Opelka credited Medvedev for the way he executed his game and spoke of his own form during the week to reach his maiden ATP 1000 finals appearance.

”He [Medvedev] was flawless,” Opelka said. “I had one chance to break early. I don’t think that would have changed much because he was in so many of my service games. When I hit some big shots, he countered well and it was very tough to disrupt him at all.

“I have learned a lot about myself. I learned that the difference between some matches is so small, you’ve just really got to be optimistic. I was playing Lloyd Harris a couple days ago on the back court, and the guy was red hot. “Returning unbelievably, playing well, not missing a ball. I could have lost there and still had a pretty good week, two good wins, on to the next one.

”But I stayed the course, stayed optimistic, and I came up with some clutch shots. “Next thing you know I win that, I beat Roberto Bautista Agut, I beat (Stefanos) Tsitsipas, [and it] ends up being a longer week. I think this week was a great example of using that optimistic mindset as much as possible. Look [at] what this does for my ranking.”

NATIONAL BANK OPEN FINAL RESULT: 

[1] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) defeated Reilly Opelka (USA) 6-4 6-3

Picture credit: Peter Power/Tennis Canada