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 clinched his fourth Masters 1000 title at the 2021 National Bank Open. Medvedev defeated the American, Reilly Opelka, in the final in straight sets, winning his 12th career title.
With the victory, he also became the first Russian player since Marin Safin in 2000 to lift the Rogers Cup trophy. The No. 1 seed broke Opelka’s service, unarguably the most powerful serve on the tour, thrice and wrapped up the match in just 85 minutes.
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 10, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Daniil Medvedev of Russia serves against Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan in second round play in the National Bank Open at Aviva Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Daniil Medvedev eyes Cincinnati now
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During the on-court interview, Medvedev was ecstatic about having won his 4th Masters 1000 event. With the hegemony of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal over the biggest tournaments, Medvedev mentioned he couldn’t have pictured holding the trophy.
”I could not have dreamt of [this] at one point. With Masters, with Novak [Djokovic] and Rafael [Nadal] playing, it seemed like an untouchable achievement. Now I have four wins in five finals, which is a good score. I am just happy. I want to achieve more,” said Medvedev.
The Russian owns an enviable 4-1 record in Masters 1000 finals. Out of the 9 Masters 1000 tournaments, Medvedev now holds title for four of them (Toronto, Cincinnati, Shanghai, Paris).
Up next, Medvedev heads to the Cincinnati Open, where he would again be the top seed. This would be the last stop before the 2021 US Open, which begins on 30 August.
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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
”Playing Canada and Cincinnati, the goal is to win as many matches as possible. I was able to do it two years ago and I will try and do it again,” said Medvedev.
Having received an opening-round bye, Medvedev would face one of two American wild cards – Mackenzie McDonald or Brandon Nakashima – in the second round at Cincinnati.
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With Djokovic and Nadal having withdrawn from the Cincinnati Masters, Medvedev is the favorite to lift the title. The 25-year-old, who was this year’s Australian Open finalist, has an incredible chance at the upcoming US Open owing to his incredible form.
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