Russia’s Daniil Medvedev believes he has the ability to beat anybody if he is in good enough form after easing into the quarter-finals of the US Open on Sunday.
The world No.2 cruised to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3, win over world No.27 Dan Evans in under two hours. Dropping serve just once in the match, Medvedev won 84% of his first service points and blasted 43 winners past his opponent to continue his recent surge in form. Since the conclusion of the Olympic Games, he has won 12 out of 13 matches played. His only loss was to Andrey Rublev in the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Masters.
“He’s a top player for many years already, so I knew I had to keep my focus from start to finish,” Medvedev said of Evans. “I was serving good. I was trying to change up the game, mix up the game, and I’m really happy that I beat such a tough opponent with that score and with that much energy left.’
“I’m feeling great before the second week (at the US Open). Feeling great with my tennis, my mental, my physical. Just looking forward to it.”
As the second seed in Flushing Meadows, Medvedev says he has high expectations to do well. It was at the tournament two years ago where he reached his first Grand Slam final which he lost in five sets to Rafael Nadal. Last year he made it to the semi-finals before falling to Dominic Thiem who went on to win the title.
“If I play good, I know what I’m capable of. It’s tough to beat me,” Medvedev stated.
“I want to win every tournament I play in, without putting pressure on myself. I know how to win matches, and I know sometimes why I lose them, so that’s just learning and being better for the next time..” He added.
The question is does the Russian have what it takes to win his maiden major title in New York and prevent Djokovic from getting the crown? He will play the world No.1 should they both progress to the final. He has beaten Djokovic in three out of their five most recent meetings.
Assessing the game of the 25-year-old, Evans believes Medvedev’s serve is ‘underrated’ as he paid tribute to his opponent.
“He’s hitting the ball pretty big, very close to the lines, great serve. I think the serve for me is the thing I think is a bit underrated. He goes through his service games very quickly,” Evans told reporters during his press conference.
“Everyone knows how well he moves. But I think his serve and how he goes from deep to up the court so quick is another very, yeah, difficult thing to see on television until you play him.”
Medvedev will play Dutch qualifier Botic van de Zandschulp in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.
