Daniil Medvedev admits a meme of him making a gesture during his clash against Holger Rune at the BNP Paribas Open will probably be the most memorable thing of their match.
The world No.4 sealed his place in the semi-finals at Indian Wells with a 7-5, 6-4, win over the Dane to reach the last four of a Masters 1000 event for the first time since Rome last year. Medvedev broke his opponent four times and blasted 18 winners past him. However, this was not the talking point of the match.
At the start of the second set, there was a lengthy rally between the two which saw Rune hit a ball directly at Medvedev. The Dane apologised but his rival didn’t see him do so. Prompting Medvedev to point two fingers to his eyes and then to Rune to indicate that he is watching him.
Medvedev apologised to Rune at the net after sealing the straight sets victory, saying ‘I didn’t hear you say sorry.’ Prompting a somewhat frosty reply from Rune who said ”There’s no reason to talk about it.’
“The thing is that we’re living in such a world now with social media, this is probably this is going to be there for like, I don’t know, 10 years.” Medvedev later told reporters.
“The good points that we had, they were amazing, no one will remember.
“It is what it is. I didn’t know. I get crazy, I get mad. Carlos (the umpire) told me he said sorry. I then said sorry that I didn’t see you say sorry. All is done. I don’t think there is a continuation to this story.”
The Russian added that he ‘has nothing against’ Rune and wants to move on from what happened.
Medvedev is through to his 13th Masters 1000 semi-final where he will next take on home player Tommy Paul. Paul, who is seeded 17th in the draw, beat Casper Ruud 6-2, 1-6, 6-3.
“He seems to be playing well. We actually practiced together before the tournament. Played two games and broke each other which is normal for Indian Wells.” Medvedev said of his next oponent.
“We didn’t have that many matches so looking forward to a tough battle.”
Indian Wells is the only hard court Masters 1000 tournament that 28-year-old Medvedev is yet to win on the Tour.
