ATP FINALS: MEDVEDEV WINS BIGGEST CAREER TITLE DEFEATS THIEM

Russian Daniil Medvedev clinched the biggest title of his career on Sunday at the O2 Arena, London beating US Open Champion Dominic Thiem 4-6,7-6(2), 6-4 in match that lasted two hours and 43 minutes to win the Nitto ATP Finals

Daniil who has been in top form at the finals winning four of his matches defeated five time champion Novak Djokovic and beat World No.2 Rafael Nadal. Medvedev coming from a set down, surprisingly bounced back with a master class to win two sets to perceive the flavour of the ATP Finals trophy.

Medvedev who becomes the fourth Russian to achieve a feat since the start of the ATP Tour in 1990 by beating top three rank players in the FedEx ATP rankings at a single event. He also becomes the second Russian to win the year end championships since Nikolay Davydenko in 2009.    

Daniil Medvedev crafted the inspiration of his fellow Russian compatriot, Nikolay Davydenko who has become a source of motivations,

“A lot of thanks Nikolay Davydenko for the being an inspiration for many kids [like] me [by] winning here. I hope to continue doing his job.” Daniil said.

He had earlier stated during the trophy ceremony, that it would be an amazing story if, the tournament which has consistently been held in London in the past 12 years gets the accolade of first as Russian and the last of the championship as Russian too.

The 24 year- old Russian, surprisingly made his debut at the championship last year winning just a set. But has turn the table which would for sure push his ranking to the positive side of the pendulum, having won the Paris Rolex Masters (ATP Masters Top 1000) trophy.

His opponent. Austrain Dominic Thiem who demonstrated good display of tennis, although he succumbed to the superior power of Daniil, in the first eight break points, Thiem beautifully used his powerful groundstrokes and classy booming serve.     

In the subsequent periods in their match, it was obvious that the Austrian who was making effort to become the first man from his country to win the Nitto ATP Finals was slower in pace of play. Medvedev took advantage of Thiem’s weakness using forehand volley at deciding point in the match and went on with good display of tennis to wrap up a match that lasted two hours and 43 minutes.

“I think it was the toughest victory in my life because Dominic is really tough player to play, I think today he was at his best,” Medvedev said.

Daniil added “Maybe it’s not the case, but that’s what I felt during the match. He was really close to winning it [in the] second set. I managed to stay there.”   

Thiem who made in inroads in the second set, but saw a much rejuvenated Medvedev was unable to maintain breakthrough as he twice missed break points and saw the thunderous ace from the Russian. However, he showered praises on the 24 year-old,

“Of course, I am disappointed, but at the same time I am also pround of the performance of all the week. Daniil really deserved it,” Thiem said.

Thiem added, during the trophy ceremony “[It was an] amazing match. Congratulations for, in general, another great year. I think it was an amazing month [in] November, with [the] Bercy title and here and I hope we will have many great matches to come. It was a pleasure today, even though I lost.”   

The final at the O2 Arena, London was the last of the past 12 edition that has been held in London at the year-end championships. The next tournament moves to the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy.