Russia saves the day despite Medvedev’s stumble

Daniil Medvedev is life insurance for Russia, the common denominator of the successes of a country that now dominates both men’s and women’s team tennis. The Muscovite accumulated 10 consecutive victories between ATP Cup and Davis Cup, two tournaments that his nation has won thanks, in large part, to the rockiness of the world’s number two when it represents the colors red, blue and white. But this Sunday, Medvedev fell to Ugo Humbert, a tennis player with a patient and tactical game. who already choked him in their previous confrontation, two years ago on the clay of Hamburg. On hard court, Daniil also suffered and was unable to exact revenge at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena: 6-7 (5), 7-5 and 7-6 (2) in 2h55.

Like his compatriot Roman Safiullin, this time the true “hero of the day” as Medvedev himself recognized, he had achieved a long-suffering victory against Arthur Rinderknech (2-6, 7-5 and 6-3 in 2h25), the doubles point was decisive and both, who had never competed together, beat the veteran specialists and empathetic Fabrice Martin (35 years) and Edouard Roger-Vasselin (38), who add 29 titles between the two, by a double 6-4 in 74 minutes to save the tie (2-1). Al Bear Admittedly, he had the stamina and guts to use himself to the full after having made a wasted effort before and frustrating three hours on the track. He celebrated with rage, as he is rarely seen, the decisive points.

During the start of the series, Humbert had a 4-1 tiebreaker in the first set, which if he had taken advantage of it could have changed the sign of the match a lot. Because he won the second after coming back from a 3-0 start with courage and much merit, despite committing 26 unforced errors (he finished with 61). In the third round, the champion of the last US Open escaped (3-1), but the Frenchman reacted again and put fear in the body of his rival, making him run a lot so he had to ask to be massaged the thighs. His serves were answered more than well by Humbert, who in the end, despite his tremendous wear and tear and the risk with which he was used, broke Medvedev.

Saving victory

Before, Safiullin (24 years and 167º) could with Rinderknech (26 and 58º) thanks to his good performance to the rest, with which he made up for his deficiencies in service. In that section, the French punished him with 13 aces. Both broke serve four times and the game was decided by small details. Russia, current champions, suffered but does not yieldEven if it doesn’t have Rublev, Karatsev or Khachanov.

ATP Cup results.