Daniil Medvedev rediscovered his best form at the ATP Finals on Tuesday, defeating Australia's Alex de Minaur in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. The victory came as a timely boost for the Russian world No. 4, who had been contemplating an early exit after losing his opening group match to American Taylor Fritz on Sunday. Medvedev's dominant performance against De Minaur not only revitalized his title hopes but also delayed his holiday plans as he continues his pursuit of a second ATP Finals championship, having won the prestigious event in 2020.
Medvedev's level of play on Tuesday was a sharp contrast to his earlier loss. In his first match of the tournament, the Russian appeared mentally fatigued and lacking his usual intensity, even receiving a penalty point for smashing a courtside microphone in frustration. However, against De Minaur, Medvedev displayed a serving masterclass, committing only 10 unforced errors and conceding just nine points on his serve. His precision and focus were evident as he dictated the tempo of the match, extending his head-to-head record against the Australian to 7-3.
For De Minaur, the defeat effectively ended his chances of advancing to the semifinals in his ATP Finals debut. Despite putting up a fight, the Australian was unable to cope with Medvedev's aggressive serving and tactical play. Medvedev, on the other hand, was able to find renewed confidence, knowing that a win in his final group match against top seed Jannik Sinner would give him a chance to progress to the next stage of the competition.
Reflecting on his performance, Medvedev admitted that he was mentally exhausted following his loss to Fritz. "The last match I felt too tired mentally to fight the way I usually do," he said in a courtside interview. "So during the match when it doesn't go your way you get frustrated and stuff like that. So I went into this match thinking if I lose I go home Thursday for sure, good feeling, if I win I still have the chance, also a good feeling." This shift in mentality allowed him to approach the match with a sense of freedom, which ultimately helped him regain his form and secure the victory.
Medvedev’s win keeps him alive in the tournament, and he will head into his final round-robin match with renewed optimism. His clash with Sinner, who is currently the top seed, will be a pivotal encounter in determining who progresses to the semifinals.
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