Italian Open Highlights: Daniil Medvedev sailed past Holger Rune with a 7-5, 7-5 victory to clinch the Italian Open 2023 title. With the victory the Russian has won his first ATP Masters title on clay courts in his career. The victory has also propelled him to the third spot on the ATP Live Rankings. Follow Italian Open 202 LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
Medvedev vs Rune LIVE: Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune to fight for maiden title in Italian Open
After the start of the final was delayed by one hour and 40 minutes due to rain, the 27-year-old came out and produced a consistent, clean-hitting display.
Medvedev had never won a match in three previous appearances in Rome before this season. He produced some of his best clay-court tennis in the week in the Italian capital. In the course of winning his title, he defeated opponents like 2017 champion Alexander Zverev and 2022 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas.
“I always want to believe in myself and I always want to win the biggest tournaments in the world,” said Medvedev, who dropped just one set en route to the title. “But at the same time, I didn’t think I could win a Masters 1000 on clay in my career because usually I hated it, I hated playing on it. I didn’t feel good on it and nothing was working.
“Before this tournament already in Madrid and Monte-Carlo I wasn’t feeling too bad. I thought, ‘OK, let’s continue’. Then when I came here I felt so good in practice and I told my coach, ‘I don’t know what is happening but I am feeling amazing, so let’s see how it goes’. But then you have to play the toughest opponents in the world to try to make it. I am really happy I managed to do it and to prove to myself and everyone else that I am capable of doing it.”
Medvedev has clinched five titles this season so far. After earning his 39th win of the season in one hour and 41 minutes.
Italian Open LIVE: Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune to fight for maiden title in Italian Open
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