Daniil Medvedev has successfully defended a title for the first time in his career, winning the Almaty Open for the second consecutive year. The Russian assessed his current form, his chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals, and praised the organization of the tournament in Almaty. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
In the final, Medvedev defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-7 (6-8), 6-1, 6-3. For the 30-year-old tennis player, this is his 25th ATP title and fourth of the current season. The victory in Almaty marked the first successful title defense of his career.
Before this season, Medvedev had won more than 20 tournaments but had never become champion of the same event two years in a row.
"It's mixed feelings because a title is always a title. It doesn't matter if you defended it, won it in a new city or the same one. It's just a cool feeling, and at any tournament I come to, I want to win.
But it's really nice because it never happened before. For myself, it's the first time, and that's always pleasant. Almaty is a wonderful city, wonderful fans, a wonderful tournament. A great place to defend a title for the first time," said Daniil.
Last year, Medvedev defeated Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open final 7-5, 4-6, 6-3.
Basilashvili won the first set in a tiebreak. Medvedev admitted that after missed opportunities, he got angry rather than starting to doubt victory.
"I didn't doubt, I just got very angry. There was a break point, a little unlucky – the ball went just slightly out, otherwise it would have been a winner and a break.
On set point and the next point, I hit the net both times. But that's tennis: if you want to win the set, you have to hit the target. I understood that I needed to try to win the next two sets, and that's what happened."
Medvedev is having one of the best stretches of his season. Before traveling to Europe, he noted that he feels good physically and intends to maintain the pace he has built.
"I'm playing well, but it will be tough in Vienna. After all, it's a long flight. Physically I feel fine, no injuries, so I'll try to show everything I'm capable of.
There are two tournaments left, and then, hopefully, Turin. This is the last push before rest, so I'll give my maximum."
The victory in Almaty strengthened Medvedev's position in the race for participation in the ATP Finals. After the title, he rose to fifth place in the championship race.
At the same time, the Russian does not call winning in Turin a separate goal.
"If I continue to play at my current level, I will have chances to beat any opponent, and that gives the opportunity to win tournaments. The goal is to play well. Then there will be chances to get to Turin and, possibly, show a result there."
Of his 25 titles, Medvedev still considers the US Open the main one, but two consecutive victories in Kazakhstan raised the place of the Almaty Open in his personal hierarchy.
"Most of all, of course, the US Open – it's a Grand Slam after all. But the emotions when you win a title are basically the same. So Almaty is very high. And the fact that I managed to win twice probably raised it even higher in the ranking."
The Russian also once again praised the conditions for participants of the Almaty Open. According to him, in terms of organization, the ATP 250 tournament can compete with larger events.
"Just great organization. Excellent hotel, excellent food, everything for the players is done excellently. At ATP 250 tournaments this is not always the case, so it's nice to come back. Excellent tournament, well done everyone," Medvedev concluded.
The Almaty Open was held from October 17 to 25 at the Almaty Arena. The ATP 250 tournament with a prize fund of $1.07 million was held in the southern capital of Kazakhstan for the third time.