Medvedev feels he is “in the zone” even if he “couldn’t move well on the warm-up”
It hasn’t been easy, but Daniil Medvedev is through to the semi-finals of the Indian Wells Masters. He looks ready to go to face Frances Tiafoe on Saturday.
Daniil Medvedev, Indian Wells 2023 | © Antoine Couvercelle / Panoramic
Daniil Medvedev has endured a roller-coaster ride at the BNP Paribas Open, both physically and mentally. Medvedev has dealt with a sprained ankle, a cut finger, and a fragile mind. Nonetheless, the red-hot Russian finds himself in the semi-finals, his tenth in a Masters 1000.
Medvedev, the recent champion in Rotterdam, Doha, and Dubai, has extended his winning streak to 18 matches by defeating Brandon Nakashima, Ilya Ivashka, Alexander Zverev, and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. He ranted about the slow court speed during his victories over Ivashka and Zverev, rolled his ankle against Zverev, and scraped his finger on the court against Davidovich Fokina.
Despite all of that, the world No 7 appears to be good to go for the semi-finals against Frances Tiafoe. He has two full days off, as well, since the semis are not until Saturday.
Medvedev: “I knew I was going to play; I knew I was going to try.”
“I’m actually happy the ankle didn’t hurt much because when I warmed up, it was hurting pretty bad,” Medvedev said after beating Davidovich Fokina on Wednesday night. “I knew I was going to play; I knew I was going to try. But I couldn’t move well on the warm-up. I tried to warm it up as long as possible, took one painkiller so that probably helped. I was actually feeling better and better during the match.”
As for the finger, the 27-year-old had it taped up and says it isn’t an issue.
“That’s nothing too bad, because actually the moment I cut it I saw — I don’t know if I should say it — kind of the meat. That was not nice to see. They cleaned it now; have a small tape (on it). (I) should be fine. The question is going to be whether I tape it in two days for the match or not. But that’s not a big problem, because, yeah, I managed to play well with the tape today. A lot of players tape their fingers and manage to play well, so I’m going to be able to do it also.”
If I wouldn’t be in… let’s call it in the zone, I would probably lose early like I always do here.
Daniil Medvedev
Will he be able to extend his streaks to 20 matches and four titles? Even on a slow surface that isn’t conducive to his style of play, you can’t count him out. Medvedev certainly isn’t counting himself out.
“Confidence,” Medvedev said when asked to explain his current success. “Confidence, for sure. Exactly, 100 percent (this is) not my favorite surface and conditions. So a lot of these matches — I would honestly say starting from the first match — if I wouldn’t be in… let’s call it in the zone, where you get a little bit luck on your side, some crazy shots, some crazy points on your side, I would probably lose early like I always do here.
“So (I’m) really happy that with all the circumstances and with all the crazy matches, I’m still in the tournament and still keeping the streak alive.”
