Daniil Medvedev vs Andrey Rublev - Preview, Predictions, Head to head and Stats
Daniil Medvedev will take on fellow Russian Andrey Rublev in the group stages of the ATP Finals
As he prepares for his fifth consecutive appearance at the ATP Finals, Daniil Medvedev is determined to overcome setbacks. Despite going 0-3 in Turin last season, the world No. 3, a former champion, remains unfazed, emphasizing that last year’s defeats in decisive tie-breaks don’t overshadow his past successes in the prestigious tournament.
Turning last year’s challenges into motivation, Medvedev had a remarkable start to 2023. In a span from mid-February to early April, he reached five finals and secured four titles, triumphing at prestigious events like the ATP Masters 1000 in Miami, as well as claiming 500-level trophies in Rotterdam and Dubai. Notably, he added a tour-level clay title in Rome, followed by a runner-up finish in the US Open and appearances in ATP 500 finals in Beijing and Vienna.
With a personal-best 64 victories and only 16 defeats this season, Medvedev leads the ATP Tour in matches won. Despite this, a potential setback in Turin against top-tier opponents won’t necessarily derail his title aspirations, given the unique round-robin format. Securing a second ATP Finals title would significantly solidify this standout season for Medvedev, who recognizes the challenge of overcoming multiple elite champions to emerge as the singular champion in Turin.
Andrey Rublev stands out both on and off the court. The 26-year-old’s distinctive and amiable off-court demeanor is well-known to his fans. However, inside the lines, Rublev asserts his individuality. This season, during his triumph at the ATP Masters 1000 in Monte-Carlo, he displayed resilience by coming back from 1-4, 0/30 down in the third set to secure victory against Holger Rune in the final. Overcoming two prior losses in ATP Masters 1000 finals, the elusive crown on the Monaco clay brought him to tears.
Rublev’s track record speaks for itself, having secured 23 victories against the Top 10 players, including a notable win against the current World No. 1, Novak Djokovic. In the Rolex Paris Masters in early November, he came close to claiming a second victory over the Serbian in a high-quality semi-final match. As he gears up for his fourth ATP Finals appearance, Rublev, among the ATP Tour’s elite, understands the need to be at his best. By maintaining modest expectations, he could be laying the groundwork for what might become his most significant title yet.
In the previous edition in Turin, Rublev showcased his resilience by rallying from a set down to defeat Stefanos Tsitsipas in a decisive group finale, earning him a spot in the semi-finals. Similar to the Monte-Carlo final, Rublev faced an imposing early lead from his opponent, initially dimming hopes of a comeback. However, his determined spirit prevailed, leading to yet another significant victory in his career.
Date – Tuesday, 14th November
Court Type – Indoor Hard Surface
Telecast – Tennis Channel
Start Time – 01:30 am IST (tentative)
Location – Turin, Italy
Match details – Group Stage
In their eight tour encounters, Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev have exclusively faced each other on hard courts. Medvedev initially secured victory in their first four meetings, but Rublev has made progress in narrowing the head-to-head gap more recently. Notably, all their matches have taken place in quarter-finals or later, with the exception of their meeting at the 2022 Nitto ATP Finals during the round-robin stage. As it stands, Medvedev holds a 6-2 lead in their head-to-head record. We are predicting a hard-fought win in three sets for Daniil Medvedev.
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