Medvedev’s football joke after winning his first ATP title of the season and ending the drought

“I think I just won the World Cup”with a humor that as a prejudice could not be linked to his usual anger within the courts, the Russian Daniel Medvedevnumber 1 on the standings, he celebrated his title at the ATP 250 in Los Cabos, Mexico, which meant his first of the 2022 season, which contrasted with reaching the top of the standings.

The reference, of course, was for the format of the trophy that he took from the British Cameron Norrie, 2021 champion, and which he managed to overcome in two sets with splits of 7-5 and 6-0, in an hour with 23 minutes of game and in intense heat, which exceeded 31 degrees.

“This is my first time here and I had a lot of fun, congratulations on your good tournament in Norrie, a great player and a beautiful person”said Daniil who won the tournament with four wins without losing a set.

The Briton was the first to dare to seek the match, putting more speed into his game and putting the ball at difficult angles for the Russian.

Medvedev, for his part, showed off his serve and his showy shots, and in defense he moved quickly on the pitch to hit returns.

The Russian was the first to break away and took the 3-2 lead, but returned the rest with a double fault and Norrie drew 3-3. With each contested point, Medvedev looked more solid, so he managed to make another break, but this time he confirmed his serve and went 5-3 ahead.

Medvedev broke again and was about to serve to take the set; the Russian had two set points that the British knew how to raise to break and then equalize 5-5.

From this point on, Medvedev grew up on the track after receiving medical treatment for a hand injury; the Russian got the third break and already led by 6-5 had a triple set point which this time he took advantage to win the first set.

“Cameron played an excellent game, but (while I was treated for a hand injury) I was able to relax and unwind. Every game I played in the tournament was good, but this above all raised my level.” .the Russian explained.

The second set began with Medvedev determined to solve the story easily and quickly. With break and approval, he took the lead 2-0. With his last efforts, Norrie tried to get close, but he was already looking down and Medvedev finished him.

The Russian thus won his 14th singles title of his career, the first in 2022. In the season he had reached three finals: the Australian Open (on hard), Halle and Hertogenbosch (both on grass).

The Russian was the sixth champion in six different editions of the Los Cabos Open. First the Croatian Ivo Karlovic, the American Sam Querrey, the Italian Fabio Fognini, the Argentine Diego Schwartzman and the English Cameron Norrie reigned.

Medvedev, who has completed a week of rounds, smiles again at the start of the tour before the US Open, in which he will defend the title from 29 August.