Daniil Medvedev described beating Denis Shapovalov as one of his “best victories” due to the fact that the Canadian was on top of him before he found a way to turn around the match.
In the Vienna final, Medvedev recovered from a set down to beat Shapovalov 4-6 6-3 6-2.
Shapovalov, who was unseeded, came out firing but Medvedev was able to recover and clinch his second title of the year.
“I am really happy. This match was the best of the week because Denis was really playing unreal until probably 4-3 in the second set. He dropped his level by maybe two per cent and I was able to use it. This is one of the best victories when you know your opponent is on top of you, but you try and stay there and do what you can,” Medvedev said after the match, per the ATP website.
How Medvedev defeated Shapovalov?
Medvedev served out the opening game of the match, before Shapovalov claimed back-to-back breaks to win four games in a row and open a 4-1 lead.
Down by two breaks, Medvedev refused to quit and got one break back in the sixth game to cut the deficit to 4-2.
Medvedev got one break back but couldn’t get back the second as Shapovalov served out for the first set in the 10th game.
After losing the first set, Medvedev earned the first break of the second set in the fourth game to open a 3-1 lead.
Shapovalov got the break back in the seventh game, but Medvedev broke again in the eighth game before serving out for the second set in the following game.
After winning the second set, Medvedev broke Shapovalov twice in the third set to complete a big comeback win.
“I like to play indoor hard courts at the end of the season. I feel that I do a great job with my team not to arrive burnt out. I am looking forward to the last two tournaments of the year which are really important and I usually play well,” Medvedev added.