DANIIL Medvedev has become the first player outside of the Big Four – Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray – to occupy the second spot on the ATP Tour rankings in almost 16 years after claiming the Open 13 Provence final overnight. Medvedev is the first player since Australian Lleyton Hewitt in July, 2005 to reach second in the world outside those four multiple Grand Slam winners. It was far from an easy task against determined Frenchman, Pierre-Hugues Herbert, but the Russian top seed claimed the win in three tight sets. He said he was aware of the ranking increase having already achieved it prior to the final result.

“I am really happy,” Medvedev said post-match. “I knew that I would become number two no matter what on Monday… It is always better when you step up the Rankings when you do something great. “I know that winning here didn’t give me the points to become number two, but it is great for the self-esteem that just before becoming number two on Monday, I win a tournament.”

The 6-4 6-7 6-4 battle lasted two hours and 11 minutes with both players showing strength on serve and the lower ranked Herbert defying his 92nd place on the ATP Tour. The Frenchman had the home court support in Marseille, and produced 10 aces – only three less than Medvedev – and won 72 and 53 per cent of his first and second serve points, off a 65 per cent clip. The Russian had a lower second serve success rate of 45 per cent, but made up for it by winning 83 per cent of his first serve points from a 66 per cent serving efficiency.

“Pierre-Hugues can play unbelievable tennis. I know what he is capable of,” Medvedev said. “I played a lot of tough matches with him, especially when I lost in the Roland Garros first round. Today was a tricky, tough match and I am really happy that I managed to be on top and get the win.”

The victory not only capped off a great week for Medvedev, but brought up his 10th ATP Tour career title, and continued his terrific run on indoor hard courts.

“I am really happy about the number 10. It gets me to two digits, something which I dreamt of when I was a kid,” Medvedev said. “I think it is already a great number, but I am going to try to work more and get some more… I really like to play on hard courts. “I feel like that is where my game suits me the best. “I feel like I know the solutions I have to find during the match and that is what I did today.”

While Medvedev moved up to number two in the world, Herbert also enjoyed a bump up the rankings, rising 18 places for his runner-up effort with the soon-to-be 30-year-old – on Thursday – lifting to number 75 in the world.

OPEN 13 PROVENCE FINAL RESULT:

[1] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) defeated Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-4 6-7 6-4

In Santiago, home nation fan favourite Cristian Garin took home a title with a three-set victory over a gallant Facundo Bagnis in the final. Garin won 6-4 6-7 7-5 in two hours and 36 minutes to claim the title, the fifth of his career, and third straight in South America. Having won titles in Cordoba and Rio de Janeiro last year, Garin won his first of 2021 and moved back up to 21st in the world.

In the final, Garin served 14 aces to eight, and only two double faults to six in a clean serving performance. The Chilean top seed also won 71 and 59 per cent of his first and second serve points, off a 65 per cent efficiency. He broke his opponent four times to two, and held off the Argentinian in a colossal battle which saw Garin win 110 points to 101 by the end of the match.

“My biggest objective has alway been to keep winning titles, but I was not expecting to win in Chile after the way we started the year,” Garin said post-match. The Chilean missed the Australian Open due to injury, and had to battle coronavirus earlier in the season.

“I always kept on training and staying positive, and I’m so happy that it’s paid off… Of course I miss having a crowd especially while I’m playing at home, but I’m very pleased with this result.”

CHILE OPEN FINAL RESULT:

[1] Cristian Garin (CHI) defeated Facundo Bagnis (ARG) 6-4 6-7 7-5

Picture credit: Corinne Dubreuil/OPEN 13