"It was mentally tough knowing the match was dead" says Daniil Medvedev on win over Sinner

The arena was packed with Italian fans ready to see off their compatriot in style but early on it was a spoiling party by Medvedev won served up a bagel for everyone. In the 2nd set Sinner played better winning it in the tiebreak before jumping out to a 4-2 lead. Medvedev looked out of it wanting to get it over with as soon as possible but rallied to win in a close 10-8 tiebreak.

After the match he admitted it was hard to focus at times:

“It was tough. Mentally it was tough knowing the match was dead. But I did not want to lose my rhythm. I won the first set quite easily and I was like, lets continue this way. The second set was about an hour or so and then it is the third set. But you’re not going to not play the third set because I like to win, I don’t like to lose. I am happy I won.”

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it's the hate towards losing that kept Medvedev going even when the match seemed out of reach. Sinner had a decent chance to go up 5-2 in the 3rd set but after the Russian overcame that spell he started playing much better. A bit of pressure got to Sinner as well and it resulted in Medvedev ending the group stage with 3 wins.

Asked how he will prepare for the semifinals he said:

“When I know that I am in the next round and I am waiting for my opponent, I watch the match to see how they play. So I am just going to watch it and enjoy it and wait for the winner.”