Unyielding Rain, Unbroken Spirit: Medvedev Triumphs in Italian Open Amidst Delays, Sets Sights on World No. 2
Daniil Medvedev Laughs Off Rainy Rome as He Secures Spot in Italian Open Final with Dominant Victory. Persistent rain in Rome couldn’t dampen Daniil Medvedev’s spirits as he triumphed over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semi-finals of the Italian Open. Despite numerous interruptions, Medvedev maintained his focus and secured a straight-sets victory, winning 7-5, 7-5. The Russian player strategically took important breaks early in each set, propelling him into the final.
While Medvedev’s opponent in the final will be Holger Rune, the journey to reach this point was filled with frustrating rain delays. At a critical moment in the first set, with the score tied at 4-4, Medvedev hoped for the match to be halted due to the inclement weather. Engaging in a conversation with chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani, Medvedev expressed his concerns, stating, “It’s raining heavy, as you see.”
However, Lahyani refused to interrupt the match, pointing out that Medvedev had just served under the same weather conditions. Undeterred, Medvedev countered, emphasizing, “but I didn’t want to serve!” The umpire defended the decision, explaining, “we have been playing like this for eight games now. It’s the same as before.” Moments later, as the rain intensified, Lahyani finally conceded and signaled for the players to leave the court. Taking one last playful jab at the umpire, Medvedev remarked, “I know it’s raining. It’s obvious. I knew it five minutes ago!”
Despite the frustration caused by the weather, Medvedev showcased his consistency and skill throughout the match. His powerful groundstrokes and well-executed drop shots demonstrated his prowess on the damp clay court. By breaking Tsitsipas’ serve at crucial moments, Medvedev took control of the match. He remained composed on his own serve and secured his 38th victory of the season.
Although the match lasted over five hours, the actual playing time was significantly less. Medvedev capitalized on all four break points he earned and extended his head-to-head record against Tsitsipas to 8-4.
If Medvedev triumphs over Rune in the final, he will surpass Novak Djokovic and claim the coveted world No. 2 ranking. Reflecting on his ability to overcome frustration and maintain focus, Medvedev revealed, “I enjoyed playing today. It was very tough with the rain delay, I warmed up like six or seven times, but actually, sometimes it can throw you off, you can be a little bit angry [about] the situation.
Today, I don’t know why, I was just kind of laughing.” The Russian player shared lighthearted moments with his coach during the rain delays, finding humor in the unpredictability of the situation. Ultimately, their patience paid off, allowing them to deliver an impressive performance and secure a spot in the final.
This successful campaign in Rome marks a significant achievement for Medvedev, who had previously struggled to secure a victory in his three previous appearances at the tournament.
