USA Today via Reuters
Aug 15, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Daniil Medvedev of Russia poses with the trophy after defeating Reilly Opelka of the United States (not pictured) in the finals of the National Bank Open at Aviva Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 15, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Daniil Medvedev of Russia poses with the trophy after defeating Reilly Opelka of the United States (not pictured) in the finals of the National Bank Open at Aviva Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Daniil Medvedev arrives at the Cincinnati Open as the top seed for a second straight ATP 1000 event. Coming off a win at the National Bank Open, the Russian looks a favorite to repeat his title-winning run in 2019.
Although the Russian is yet to win a Grand Slam, a good run of form on the tour sees him as the World No. 2. With the US Open right after the Cincinnati Open, Medvedev spoke of his approach towards the hard court tournament.
Daniil Medvedev looks to “go full power” in the Cincinnati Open
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The Cincinnati Open has already seen some high-rated players sit out the tournament. In that category is the defending champion Novak Djokovic. Although the Serbian won all three Grand Slams in 2021, he couldn’t get the job done in the Tokyo Olympics. With an eye towards the US Open, the World No. 1 withdrew from the Cincinnati Open.
This leaves Medvedev as the highest ranked ATP player in the tournament. In an illustrious career for the 25-year-old, a Grand Slam still eludes him. Although the Cincinnati Open is not a Grand Slam, Medvedev admitted he will give it everything to win it again.
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 13, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Daniil Medvedev of Russia plays a shot against Hubert Hurkacz of Poland during the quarter finals of the National Bank Open at Aviva Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
In addition, he also admitted a win here would boost his confidence ahead of the hard court Grand Slam. After winning the National Bank Open, he said, “I’m going to go full power at Cincinnati because again, yeah, it’s a Masters 1000.
“I’m not yet at 12 Grand Slams where I’m going to prepare US Open to where I have to get the No. 13 to get closer to 20. No, I have zero. I need to build the momentum and confidence coming into US Open.”
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Medvedev: Conditions in Cincinnati are close to the US Open
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Although he won the National Bank Open just hours ago, he admitted Cincinnati will prove his credentials to win the US Open.
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 10, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Daniil Medvedev of Russia plays a shot against Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan in second round play in the National Bank Open at Aviva Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
“Cincinnati is different conditions. I would say maybe closer to US Open than here (Toronto). Yeah, I just want to play good there and then play good at US Open.”
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Should Medvedev win in Cincinnati, he could be a much bigger favorite than he is right now in Flushing Meadows. Can the World No. 2 break his Grand Slam duck with the US Open?
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