"A pity next up it's clay season" - Daniil Medvedev jokes after 5 straight hardcourt finals
By reaching the final of the 2023 Miami Open, Daniil Medvedev reached five consecutive tour-level finals, all on hard courts. However, the Russian jokingly derided the upcoming clay season, suggesting that he wouldn't be able to better his previous record of six straight finals.
The World No. 5 defeated his compatriot Karen Khachanov 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-3 in the semifinals on Friday to inch closer to a fifth Masters 1000 title. Improving his win-loss record for the season to 28-3, Medvedev became the first player since Roger Federer in 2006 to make five finals before the clay season could kick off.
He emerged victorious in Rotterdam, Doha, and Dubai before losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the 2023 Indian Wells summit clash earlier this month. In his on-court interview yesterday, Medvedev recalled reaching six back-to-back finals in 2019, including his defeat to Rafael Nadal at the US Open.
"I think I made six finals [in a row] in 2019, so I have some margin," Medvedev said. "It's a pity it is clay season next up, but I am going to try. I am really happy with my results so far but it is not over."
As he awaits the winner of the match between Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, Medvedev stated that he had to believe in himself to win his maiden Miami title. Speaking on in-form Alcaraz, the Russian said that no player could win forever.
"I have to believe in myself. I know I am capable of winning big titles," he added.. I know I can play well and beat anybody. For sure, Carlos is on fire right now, but you can't win 100 matches in a row, you can win maybe 40 or 45, whatever Novak [Djokovic] did."
"At one moment, someone is going to put the water on the fire. It might be Sinner today, it might be me on Sunday, it might be someone else next tournament. You have to believe in yourself. You have to try your best. I am going to enjoy their match and be prepared for the winner," he concluded.
Daniil Medvedev cites element of surprise as they key in matches against Karen Khachanov
Daniil Medvedev beat childhood friend Karen Khachanov in the semifinals of the 2023 Miami Open to improve his head-to-head record against the latter to 4-1. In a press conference, Medvedev remarked that their ability to surprise each other played a huge role in the match.
"He knows what you're going to do, you know what he's gonna do. It comes to who is going to surprise the opponent," Medvedev said. "I feel like that was a lot the key today. He did surprise me in the beginning a little bit with few shots. I managed to change it throughout the game. That's how tennis is," he added.
Daniil Medvedev has now reached the finals of every one of the six Masters tournaments and the two Grand Slams that are contested on hard courts. If he wins on Sunday, the Russian will become the fourth-ranked player in the world.