Daniil Medvedev is at his best playing on a hard court with 18 out of his 20 Tour titles being won on the surface. However, in Indan Wells he is yet to triumph.
The former world No.1 is making his seventh main draw appearance in the tournament this year and is hoping to go one step further than 12 months ago when he finished runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz. It is the only hard court Masters 1000 event that he is yet to win. The only other major event on hard that he is yet to claim a title at is the Australian Open where he has reached the final three times, including this season when he lost to Jannik Sinner after winning the first two sets.
“I don’t think about it all because every Masters I play I want to win. I don’t care if it’s not the first time,” the world No.4 told reporters on Wednesday.
“I like Indian Wells so I definitely want to try to win it one time. Last year was pretty close. The final itself, I was very far from winning, but to be in the final it’s as close as it gets to getting the trophy.”
Medvedev has dropped one set in three matches played in Indian Wells this week, which was in the third round against Seb Korda. His most recent win was over an in-form Grigor Dimitrov who he beat 6-4, 6-4. The Russian was able to capitalise on Dimitrov’s mistakes with the Bulgarian producing 29 unforced errors.
Players such as Alex de Minaur and Andy Murray have noticed that the surface is playing quicker this year compared to previous editions. Something that plays to Medvedev’s advantage who has mixed views about the conditions.
“When it’s windy the sand goes on the court, so the first day I practice here was super fast. I was, like, to my team, Wow, it’s good, so fast. Then was slow, slow, slow.” He said.
“The match with Korda was unbelievable. I broke him two times in the second set but I lost the set. I had to break him four times in the third to win 6-3. Something ridiculous and was super slow.”
“But I really like the place and I love to come here. To play sometimes it’s trickier, but I want to play well here.”
Medvedev’s quarter-final match will be against Denmark’s Holger Rune who beat Taylor Fritz 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-3. It will be their third meeting on the Tour but their first on a hard court. Their head-to-head is currently level at 1-1.
“It’s going to be an interesting match,” said Rune.
“I’m excited. He’s a great opponent. A different kind of player than many others. He has a big serve like Fritz has. I’m just going to believe in myself and play my game.”
Medvedev has now reached the quarter-final or better of a Masters 1000 event 18 times so far in his career.
