“You don’t want to lose a match before playing semis” – Medvedev disappointed by Alcaraz loss

The world No 3 lost his final group match against Carlos Alcaraz, meaning he qualified behind the Spaniard in second place in their group

Daniil Medvedev – ATP Finals – Chryslene Caillaud / Panoramic

Jamie Malachy

November 17, 2023

Nitto ATP Finals •group-stage • completed

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C. AlcarazvsD. Medvedev

Daniil Medvedev has expressed his disappointment at losing his final group-stage match to Carlos Alcaraz, despite it meaning that the Russian avoids meeting Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.

Instead, Medvedev will take on home favourite Jannik Sinner – a prospect currently no easier than that of facing the 24-time Grand Slam champion – after the Italian topped his group by defeating Holger Rune last night.

“I didn’t play 11 out of 10 today. I would give myself 8.5, which is a pretty good score, but it’s not enough to beat Carlos,” Medvedev said in his post-match press conference after the loss to Alcaraz.

“The mindset was the same. As I said coming into this match, you don’t want to lose a match before playing semis.

“It’s not the best feeling to lose a match. Your body reacts differently. Now I have to kind of regroup myself for tomorrow.”

Alcaraz defeats Medvedev in their final group match

The world No 3 had won his opening two group matches in straight sets, putting him in pole position to qualify for the semi-finals as group winner.

However, he went down in straight sets to an inspired Alcaraz in the pair’s final group-stage match, meaning the Spaniard pipped Medvedev to top spot and will face Djokovic in the last four as a result.

The Russian implied that his knowledge of the fact he had already qualified perhaps had an impact on his performance.

“The energy that you play with is not easy to explain,” he said.

“For example, I mean, probably, I don’t know, you don’t want to dive and hurt your knee. I never dive, so a little bit stupid example (smiling). [But] that’s what I’m talking about.

“At this moment, the only thing that is left, I have a match quite soon, less than 24 hours, I play tomorrow at 2:30, I have to only after I leave this room thinking, How do I beat Jannik tomorrow?

“I tried my best, but need to do better tomorrow.”

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